The Central Coast Mariners Academy PS4 NPL2 Men’s side will be looking to take their unbeaten run to 8, when they face the 2nd placed St. George at Seymour Shore on Sunday afternoon.
Last weekend, the Academy boys played out a 2-all draw with the Northern Tigers last weekend, falling behind 2-0 early in the second half, but goals from Lachlan Wales and Maki Petratos saw our side pull off an unbelievable late comeback.
Looking ahead to this week, St. George are currently sitting in second position on the NPL 2 Men’s ladder, and are coming into this weekends clash on the back of a 4-3 win over Mounties Wanderers.
Jean Carlos Heras Romero took his goal scoring tally to 15 in that victory, making him outright second in the golden boot race. The St. George striker will be the one to watch for our Academy defence this Sunday afternoon.
CCMA coach Ben Cahn will have some reshuffling to do after senior player Reece Papadimitrios left the Mariners on mutual terms this week to join Hamilton Olympic FC in the NNSW NPL competition.
But, as the youngsters have shown this season, if they are given the opportunity in the first grade line up they will take it with both hands, and it will be the same this weekend no doubt.
A win for the Mariners could see them go to third place, whilst a win for St. George could extend their gap from second place to third place by five competition points.
Player in Focus: Lachlan Wales
This week we caught up with the A-League capped Lachlan Wales, who has been in fine form for the Academy this season.
Despite the late comeback last weekend, Wales thinks the boys in yellow and navy could’ve come away with all three points.
“Northern Tigers are a good side and they set up very well. I think we could’ve gone into half time up by 1 or 2 and killed the game off, but we just missed a few good chances to do that,” said Wales.
“We got caught early into the second half and the Tigers scored 2 quick goals. If we switch off like we did against Northern Tigers this weekend, St. George will put us to the sword.
“This weekend will be a massive test for us. They like to press high and have some dangerous players in the front third. We need to believe in our own ability and play out under pressure. If we do that well, we will damage them with our pace and skill.
“In the past few months we have learnt how to win and kill off the game. We have put the whole competition on notice with some big performances over the last few months and I believe with this squad anything is possible,” he finished.
Fixture information
St. George FC v Central Coast Mariners Academy
Sunday 2 July, Seymour Shaw, Miranda
Kick off times:
- Under 18’s – 1pm
- Under 20’s – 3pm
- First Grade – 5pm
Women’s Academy
Our Academy Women’s NPL2 NSW side will travel to Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday 2 July to face competition heavyweights Sutherland Shire FA in Round 12 of the competition. Kickoff times as follows:
- Under 13’s – 8:30am
- Under 15’s – 9:55am
- Under 17’s – 11:30am
- Reserves – 1:05pm
- First Grade – 3pm
