Mariners Academy: Goals galore as strong run continues

The Central Coast Mariners Academy posted another strong round of results this weekend, with big performances across the board capped off by some stellar score lines in first grade.

NPL2 sponsored by State Road Constructions |

Nick Montgomery and his side were already in a strong position following last week’s come from behind win against Hills United, and they were forced to come from behind again as they went down 2-0 to ladder leader NWS Spirit before powering past them to win 8-3 at Pluim Park.

“Obviously like last week we went down two goals early but we showed a lot of character to come back in the game and then we scored almost every time we went forward,” Montgomery said.

A tidy team goal from our 1st Grade Academy side at Pluim yesterday. Stay tuned for our Academy wrap, and hear from Monty live on #MarinersTV tonight. #CCMFC
?️ @NPLNSW pic.twitter.com/ilem4cV0Eo

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 3, 2020

“This is a performance that shows what we’re capable of as a squad, but I still think there’s more to come.”

Montgomery was buoyed by the news of Louis Khoury receiving a call up to Alen Stajcic’s extended squad for Monday’s clash with Melbourne Victory, and said it was just reward for hard work.

Louis has been in the A-League bubble training hard, and like Alou he’s shown that hard work pays off and the opportunities will come from that,” he said.

 

1^st Grade: Central Coast Mariners 8 (Balard, Bayliss, Cahill, McCarthy (2), Katsoulis, Steele, Tsekenis) def. NWS Spirit 3

U/20’s: Central Coast Mariners 1 def. NSW Spirit 0

U/18’s: Mounties Wanderers 0 def. by Central Coast Mariners 5

U/16’s: Mounties Wanderers 2 drew. Central Coast Mariners 2

U/15’s: Central Coast Mariners 1 drew. Sydney Olympic 1

U/14’s: Central Coast Mariners 1 drew. Sydney Olympic 1

U/13’s: Central Coast Mariners 2 def. by Sydney Olympic 3

 

NPLW 2 sponsored by Club Mingara

Dan Barrett and his NPL2 squad continue to set the pace at the top of the NSW NPL2 Women’s competition, with the latest effort a 6-0 victory over 2019 Champions Gladesville on Sunday.

Barrett and the team didn’t treat is as a revenge game after Gladesville knocked them out in the semi-finals last year, but certainly got their own back in a thumping win.

Brooke Miller opened the scoring from a corner five minutes in, before goals to Betsy Blackwood, Mikala Tucker and Liz Shorter put the Mariners in a commanding four goal lead at half time.

Tucker added another in the second half and Gabby Blanch rounded out the scoring with 40 minutes to play and Barrett spoke highly of the performance after the weekend.

“A very strong performance today with the improvement I was looking for after last weekend’s clash,” he said.

“We were much more fluid in possession and got through our opponents lines more often at a greater tempo and defensively once again we were solid and organise. Rhiannon was excellent when called upon in goals and made two great saves to maintain our clean sheet run.”

Annalise Rasmussen made her senior debut, much to the excitement of Barrett but he said it’s important that the high standard of performance remains for next weekend.

“It was a great moment for Annalise, making her debut in first grade and getting a taste of that experience during the final 10 minutes,” Barrett said.

“That is something I am extremely proud of and I’m so passionate about developing our youth and bringing them through the grades, and hopefully we can help them go beyond our senior team and be a launching bad for W-League or national teams involvement.”

1^st Grade: Gladesville Ravens 0 def. by Central Coast Mariners 6 (Miller, Blackwood, Tucker (2), Shorter, Blanch)

Reserves: Gladesville Ravens 0 def. by Central Coast Mariners 3

U/17’s: Gladesville Ravens 0 def. by Central Coast Mariners 1

U/15’s: Gladesville Ravens 0 def. by Central Coast Mariners 1

U/14’s: Gladesville Ravens 1 def. Central Coast Mariners 0