Central Coast Mariners came from 2-0 down to beat Wollongong Wolves at Pluim Park on Sunday, with 17-year-old Arthur De Lima netting a stunning second half hat-trick.
First half: Clinical Wolves take control
Wollongong opened the scoring on the 9th minute, Jake Trew stealing in at the near post to convert a real poachers goal and give his side a perfect start.
The Mariners responded well, creating a fantastic opening two minutes later, but Bailey Brandtman couldn’t connect with his header.
Harry Menham then forced a fine save from Wolves’ veteran keeper Vedran Janjetovic, with a powerful drive on 14 minutes. The former A-League stopper then had to be aware to keep out Sasha Kuzevski’s long-range effort.
Despite their positive response to conceding early, the Mariners were dealt another blow as a clinical Wolves counter saw them double their lead on 30 minutes. After winning possession in midfield, Christopher Mcstay slid the ball through to Sebastian Hernandez who calmly converted to make it 2-0.
Once again, Lucas Vilela’s side showed their character to bounce back and grabbed a crucial goal before the break. Menham got in behind down the left and put a dangerous ball across the box, De Lima in the right place at the right time to make it 2-1.
Second half: De Lima steals the show
It was a bright start to the second half from the Mariners, De Lima with a warning sign for what was to come on 48 minutes, cutting in onto his right foot and whipping an effort towards goal which was well held by Janjetovic.
The Mariners pressure continued; on 52 minutes, Kuzevski won the ball high up the pitch and found Brandtman on the edge of the box, he danced past one challenge but could only find the hands of Janjetovic with his shot.
Brandtman would make up for his missed chance moments later, winning possession in the Wollongong half and sliding the ball through to De Lima who evaded one challenge before slotting home with his left foot to level the scores.
The Mariners were well on top now, Lucas Scicluna came close after a clever lofted pass from Brandtman, but lost his footing at the crucial moment, before lively substitute Jai Rose forced a flying save from Janjetovic on 62 minutes.
Rose threatened again minutes later, this time shooting low but Janjetovic was equal to it, before also saving the follow up from Brandtman.
The third goal that the Mariners were threatening finally came in the 78th minute, De Lima raced clear and finished calmly into the bottom corner to seal his hat-trick.
Substitute Yani Nassis came close to adding a fourth which would have put the icing on a fantastic second half performance from the Mariners.
Vilela’s side would see the game out to seal back-to-back wins and extend their unbeaten run to six matches, which has given a huge boost to their survival hopes.
š¢ Line-up
Starting XI: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 4. Parker Williams, 5. Harry Menham, 7. Arthur De Lima (12. Haine Eames 90+3), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 9. Nicholas Duarte, 10. Taye Hedley (6. Jordan Small 46ā), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (17. Jai Rose 56ā), 22. Rocco Smith (13. Yani Nassis 87ā), 27. Sasha Kuzevski (C), 37. Bailey Brandtman (3. Cher Deng 87ā).
Unused Subs: 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)
š£ Vilela: “Everyone is stepping up”
āWe have a word in this club, and itās opportunity. I tell the boys to go out and enjoy themselves and make the most of the opportunity and today they went out and did it.ā Vilela said, speaking to NPL NSW after the game.
āEveryone is stepping up and leading with their voices which means we are reacting well. After conceding the second goal we started to control the game and play our style of football and created chances.
āWe still have two away games left. Today we may have been too comfortable from previous results which showed in how we started todayās match. However, if we can continue on from the second half today, then I am confident we will bring more points,” he added.
