The Central Coast Mariners Academy Women have earned their seventh consecutive win in the PS4 NPL 2 thanks to a Jordan Evans inspired 5-2 win over A.P.I.A Leichhardt. Unfortunately, our boys suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Rydalmere.
Despite their first loss of the season in round 14 the senior men remain in first spot on the all-important Club Championship. The women are in third spot on the club Championship but are closing the gap on first placed Sydney Olympic and second placed Leichhardt.
A.P.I.A Leichhardt Women 2 Central Coast Mariners Academy Women 5 (Jordan Evans x 4 & Candice Phelan)
GOAL! Game set and match! The prolific Candice Phelan makes it 5-2 at full time against @apialeichhardt ?? Our high-flying girls continue their hot streak! #CCMFC #NPLNSW https://t.co/wTQ3boXaLg
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) June 3, 2018
It was a momentous win for the Central Coast Mariners Women who delivered Leichhardt their first home loss in three years thanks to a four-goal hall to Jordan Evans at Lambert Park.
Evans netted twice in the first half before adding two more in the second half. Goal-scoring ace, Candice Phelan also bagged her 25th goal of the season to round off a dominant performance.
Evans was involved in the action early, the attacker had an early chance spurned before she converted for the first of the match. Taking a diagonal ball in stride, Evans burst into the area and finished past APIA keeper Courtney Halpin for 1-0. Unfortunately, it was cancelled out almost immediately by an own goal to make it 1-1.
When the first half looked like it was going to end 1-1 (despite a raft of Mariners chances) Candice Phelan broke free from the APIA defence to win a penalty. Evans stepped up and fired low right for a 2-1 score at the break. Evans completed her hat-trick just before the hour mark with a strike from distance to make it 3-1.
Speeding down the left, Evans then fooled her defender before sweeping into the box, having her first shot denied by Halpin but she responded quickest to the rebound making it 4-1 and confirm three points for Mariners.
APIA pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute for 4-2 but Candice Phelan swept downfield quickly, finished at the second chance for a 5-2 final score.
Afterwards a jubilant Dan Barrett praised his Mariners side for a thorough performance as they don’t intend to slow down anytime soon.
“We knew today was going to be tough, we needed a massive effort. Credit to the girls tonight they did that. We’re very dangerous up front which is good for us. We don’t count on losing anytime soon. That is seven straight victories and completing the double over APIA Leichhardt this season, we’re trying to finish as high as we can.” Finished Barrett.
This Sunday our girls travel to South Nowra Football Complex to take on Southern Branch.
TEAM SHEET ? Here’s how the academy boys line up against @RydalmereFC. Kick-off is 3pm!
– 18’s WON 2-0
– 20’s WON 3-1 #CCMFC #NPLNSW pic.twitter.com/2J3yKXoKIN— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) June 3, 2018
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 Rydalmere Lions 2
After completing the first half of the competition in undefeated fashion, the Mariners Men were handed their first defeat to Rydalmere at Pluim Park.
A familiar face returned to Pluim Park to haunt the Mariners in former Academy striker Duncan Stewart who featured on the scoresheet for the Lions along with Victor Anyimba who doubled their lead.
Despite the Yellow & Navy creating enough chances to take the points it was the away team who took their chances in the second half after hitting the sheds at the break locked at 0-0.
Stewart opened the scoring for Rydalmere 20 minutes into the second half but that wouldn’t deter the young Mariners. The home team created multiple chances to hit back which drew the Lions keeper into three top notch saves to keep his side in the lead.
Rydalmere then made it 2-0 and were able to hold the potent Mariners attack at bay. The result sees the Mariners Academy remain in second place on the PS4 NPL 2 first grade ladder and still first place in the Club Championship.
This Saturday the Mariners travel away to face Mounties Wanderers FC. Kick-off is 9pm at Cook Park.
