The Central Coast Mariners defeated the Capital All-Stars on a chilly Canberra evening, running out 4-0 victors at Deakin Stadium on Wednesday.
The result builds off the Mariners 6-1 win over Broadmeadow Magic last weekend, as they continue their preparations ahead of the Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s season.
It was an evenly contested beginning to the match, with both sides having chances in an end-to-end opening 20 minutes.
Paul Ayongo went closest to breaking the deadlock, with only a brilliant save from All-Stars goalkeeper Jakeb Wiseman and an offside flag from earlier in the play denying him in the 17th minute.
Garang Kuol and Sam Silvera looked dangerous down the left and right edges over the following fifteen minutes, creating space behind the All-Stars defensive line.
Silvera ultimately opened the scoring for the night, putting the Mariners in front in the 44th minute.
A Michael Ruhs layoff from inside the box found the winger on the edge of the area, and he would fired the ball perfectly into the bottom left-hand corner. Despite pilling on the pressure late, the Mariners headed into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
The visitors got the second half underway in the best possible fashion, courtesy of a long-range cross/shot from Garang Kuol, as he curled the ball in over the top of Wiseman from the wing, handing the Mariners a 2-0 lead in the 52nd minute.
The second half continued to provide joy for Nick Montgomery’s men, with Ruhs turning from provider to goal scorer as Paul Ayongo’s high work rate saw the team rewarded, with the striker drawing All-Stars goalkeeper out of his box.
Ruhs found himself with the ball at his feet on the wing, and lobbed a long-range effort over defenders and into the back of the net, to give the Mariners a 3-0 lead midway through the second half.
The night was capped off by a cool and composed finish from Brian Kaltak as he pounced on a loose ball in the area to fire it home with seven minutes to play and round off the scoring.
Pre-season preparations will now continue for the Mariners ahead of the opening A-League Men’s fixture in the #F3Derby at Central Coast Stadium on October 8th.
