The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League side has continued their unbeaten start to the season defeating Adelaide United 2-1 in their clash at McKellar Park, Canberra.
The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League side has continued their unbeaten start to the season defeating Adelaide United 2-1 in their clash at McKellar Park, Canberra.
In a match which saw the Young Mariners consolidate second place on the NYL table captain Panny Nikas and substitute Gavin Forbes netted the goals for the Central Coast side. Visiting captain Matthew Mullen was the lone scorer for Adelaide United.
The match kicked off on a spring day but it seemed like summer had come early to the national capital. The stifling conditions meant that it took almost a quarter of an hour for both teams to settle into the rhythm of the match, and forced both benches into the peculiar situation of retreating to the shade of the grandstand.
It was the visitors from the South Australian capital who scored first in the 22nd minute. Adelaide skipper Matthew Mullen powered a drive off his right foot from the edge of the penalty area that had Mariners custodian Andrew Redmayne well and truly beaten.
The goal appeared to spur the Mariners midfield into action with David D-Apuzzo in particular making some intelligent runs down the left-side edge. His combination with left-back Matthew Lewis was very encouraging for the home side.
On the half-hour mark Hyundai A-League squad member Dylan Macallister was wrestled down in the box by Adelaide-s Michael Doyle, leaving referee Vandeburgt in little doubt about pointing to the spot, and Mariners skipper Panny Nikas gratefully accepted the chance to draw level. Nikas drilled the ball high and to the left of Adelaide-s ‘keeper Mark Birighitti who could only watch as the ball rippled his net.
The Mariners came close to securing the lead shortly before half-time with an audacious attempted chip from Ahmad Elrich from 40 yards. Adelaide-s ‘keeper Birighitti had no trouble defusing the situation.
The Mariners attacked with purpose to begin the second half with an early chance falling to Macallister whose full-blooded drive from 20 yards was parried away by Birghitti.
Wyoming junior Brady Smith had the chance to put his hometown side in the lead moments later but was unable to get good contact with his shot under pressure from the Adelaide defence.
Skipper Nikas was gifted a free kick in great position in the 63rd minute but his shot from distance sailed over the crossbar.
Substitute Gavin Forbes made an incisive run into the box minutes later but the pass from midfield was misdirected and the chance went begging.
The complexion of the game changed around the 70th minute mark when in a period of ten minutes Adelaide had three very good scoring chances, two of them forcing Young Socceroos representative Andrew Redmayne to make fine saves.
The first was from a free kick with Inseob Shin driving a looping ball from 25 yards, which dipped viciously for Redmayne. The second chance was from the same player minutes later with a low drive from inside the box, which cannoned off Redmayne-s far post.
Adelaide-s final scoring chance of the match came from a long-range drive by defender Daniel Mullen that deflected off Adelaide substitute Brett Rayner with the ball sailing harmlessly over the cross bar as a result.
The young Mariners reacted to the sustained period of pressure in the best possible way.
A Brad Porter through ball found Gavin Forbes in the 88th minute, who hit the ball first time with a sweetly timed volley. Adelaide ‘keeper Birighitti was up to the task but Forbes showed great determination and pursued the bouncing ball with vigor. He was well rewarded for his efforts, heading the ball home from 3 yards to give the Mariners the lead.
An ankle injury to in-form defender Nathan Sherlock in the dying minutes was the only downside in what was a positive result for the young Mariners.
Mariners Youth coach Tony Walmsley was pleased with the performance that saw his side leave Canberra with three points.
“I-m very happy with the result and I-m even more pleased about the application of the guys to stick to the game plan especially in the heat.
“The heat is something we-re going to have to get used to and the boys were probably in a different frame of mind today because of the early morning kick-off.
“We worked very hard on maintaining possession at training through the week, so it was pleasing to see the results of that on the field today.
“The one thing we-re really disappointed in today was our execution in the final third. It-s something we-ve spoken about and something we need to address,” Walmsley said.
The Central Coast Mariners continue their NYL campaign away to Melbourne Victory next Sunday, 8 November at Veneto Club, Bulleen. Kick-off is at 2:00 pm.
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Match Details
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. Nathan SHERLOCK, (19. Dylan MACALLISTER 89-) 3. Brad PORTER, 6. Manny GIANNAROS, 8. David D-APUZZO 10. Panny NIKAS (c), 11. Matthew LEWIS, 12. Andrew CLARK, (7. Brendan GRIFFIN 60-) 14. Brady SMITH, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, (17. David GULLO 60-) 19. Dylan MACALLISTER (9. Gavin FORBES 60-).
Unused Subs 20. Mathew RYAN (GK)
Yellow Cards Porter 55-
Red Cards None
Goals Nikas 30- (pen), Forbes 88-
Adelaide United: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 3. Michael DOYLE, 4. Fabian BARBIERO, 5. Daniel MULLEN, 6. Alex SUNASKY, 7. Joel ALLWRIGHT, (12. Andrew CIARLA 56-), 8. Matthew MULLEN, (C) (10. Brett RAYNER 57-) 11. Liam WOODING, (9. Evan KOSTOPOULOS 57-) 14. Inseob SHIN, 15. Francesco MONTEROSSO, 17. Perry MITRIS.
Unused Subs 20. Codey LARKIN (GK)
Yellow Cards Matthew Mullen 17- , Mitris 68-
Red Cards None
Goals Matthew Mullen 22-
Referee Gary VANDEBURGT
