FNYL: Two chances for youth glory following Perth loss

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Central Coast Mariners Youth travelled west on the weekend to tackle the high-flying Perth Glory Youth in round 9 of the Foxtel National Youth League 2014/15 season.

Glory Youth have been travelling well in Australia’s top youth competition, and put out a team containing a raft of Hyundai A-League squad members as they bid to maintain their place at the head of the table.

And Glory did manage to consolidate their place atop the Youth League ladder, as they secured a 5-3 win over Central Coast at Ashfield Sports Club.

The junior purple whites scored twice early on – Chris Harold giving John Gibson’s side the lead before an own goal saw them double their advantage.

Stu Jacobs’ mini-Mariners hit back before the break as Anthony Kalik buried a penalty.

Shortly after the half time break Glory Youth restored their two-goal advantage as Harold netted his second of the match with a strong header.

Minutes later, Joe Knowles made the score 4-1 with his first of the fixture.

Sam Perre – who has been in good goal scoring form for the junior yellow and navy recently – reduced the deficit mid-way through the second stanza, before Knowles netted claimed his brace following strong work by Borbor Sam.

The last goal of the game came from Mariners youngster Trent Buhagiar with about ten minutes remaining. On as a substitute, Buhagiar rifled a stunning strike from distance into the back of the net to round out the scoring.

Central Coast Mariners are currently in seventh place on the Foxtel National Youth League ladder having claimed three wins, secured two draws, and suffered four defeats at the mid-way point of the campaign.

The team has a great opportunity to rise up the competition ladder this week, with two games to be played at the Club’s Centre of Excellence in Tuggerah.

The first is this Wednesday against the Australian Institute of Sport, while on Sunday the team will challenge Western Sydney Wanderers Youth.

Entry to both games is free, and match details are below.

Central Coast Mariners Youth vs. AIS
When: Wednesday 17 December 2014
Where: Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah
Kick-off: 4:00pm
Twitter: @CCMariners #CCMvAIS

Central Coast Mariners Youth vs. Western Sydney Wanderers Youth
When: Sunday 21 December 2014
Where: Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Twitter: @CCMariners #CCMvWSW