Central Coast Mariners Academy made it back-to-back wins in the NPL NSW Men’s, overcoming Mount Druitt Town Rangers in a crucial bottom of the table clash on Sunday.
Mariners trailed Rangers by two points at the foot of the table heading into this important match at Pluim Park, but with a win they lifted themselves off bottom spot and took another huge step forward in the race to avoid relegation.
Ahmad Elhelou and Jai Rose both starred last weekend as the Mariners ended Sydney United’s seven-match winning streak, and were at it again as they both found the scoresheet for the second game in a row.
🔢 Line-Up
Starting XI: Joel Wade (GK), Michael Paragalli, Ben Mewett, Ahmad Elhelou, Mow, Jai Rose, Muginga Mpota, Shumba Mutokoyi, Laurence Taylor, Kye Schumacher, Max Miller.
Substitutions:
63′ ON: Angus Reid, Jesse Mantell, Harrison Jablonski OFF: Mow, Mpota, Taylor
74′ ON: Ty McKibbin OFF: Rose
80′ ON: Flynn Richards OFF: Elhelou
Unused subs: Jared Williams (GK).
First Half
Lucas Vilela’s team got off to a flying start and it was the in-form duo of Rose and Elhelou that combined to great effect to open the scoring in the eighth minute.
Rose lofted in a teasing delivery from a free-kick and the number nine was right where you want him, in the middle of the goal to attack the ball and nod in off the post.
At the other end, Mariners keeper Joel Wade was called into action for the first time on 25 minutes, getting down well to keep out a blistering drive from Caleb Jackson-Brown.
Elhelou had a big chance to double the Mariners lead on 32 minutes as he got in down the right channel, he had options to his left but went by himself and was denied on this occasion by Rangers keeper Dylan Niski.
Second half
The second half started just as brightly as the first but this time it was Mount Druitt who threatened early on.
On 50 minutes, some nice build up down their left flank saw them open the Mariners up and create a chance for Yuto Morita, but he was just about kept out as Wade got a crucial touch to tip his shot onto the post.
Just over a minute later the Mariners made it count at the other end as Rose lashed in a stunning strike from outside the box for the second week in a row.
After driving through the middle of the pitch from the half way line, Rose unleashed a thunderous effort into the top corner to give the Mariners full control of the game.
It wouldn’t be plain sailing though for the Mariners as they were reduced to 10 men on 58 minutes as the referee eventually reached for a red card for left-back Ben Mewett, after a tackle in front of the Mount Druitt bench.
The visitors looked to take advantage immediately but Theph Theph headed a golden opportunity wide on 59 minutes.
Mount Druitt kept pushing but could not find a way past Wade, who made one more key save in the 83rd minute to deny Morita once again.
▶️ Highlights
Watch the full highlights here, thanks to Football NSW.
🏡 Next Up
A run of home matches for the Academy Men continues this weekend as Sutherland Sharks are the visitors (Sunday 6th July, 3pm). Sharks sit just two places above the Mariners, so it’s another important fixture for Vilela’s men as they look to make it three wins on the bounce.
Entry to all academy matches at Pluim Park is FREE, so head down to support the Mariners’ next generation!
