The Central Coast Mariners’ National Youth League (NYL) team has been soundly defeated 3-1 in sweltering Bluetongue Stadium conditions this afternoon in Round 12 of the NYL.
The Central Coast Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) team has been soundly defeated 3-1 in sweltering Bluetongue Stadium conditions this afternoon in Round 12 of the NYL.
The goals were shared between Zach Cairncross, Sam Munro and Kofi Danning for the visitors, while Hyundai A-League squad member Greg Owens notched the Mariners- lone effort.
The first half was an energetic battle that again showcased the potential of the talent on show in Australia-s premier youth competition.
Boosted by the inclusions of Hyundai A-League experienced trio Andrew Clark, Greg Owens and Paul O-Grady, the Mariners created a number of solid chances throughout the half and, indeed the entire match.
The home side conceded the opener in the fifth minute after some lax defending allowed the unmarked Cairncross to score.
The Mariners- reply came from the boot of Owens, who capitalised on a well timed cross from Laurence Braude to draw the yellow and navy level before the break – his second goal from as many NYL starts.
Replacement Mariners goalkeeper Matthew Nash was welcomed at the expense of fellow Hyundai A-League squad member Andrew Redmayne at half time and unfortunately conceded to Munro within three minutes of taking to the pitch.
Central Coast product and stand in captain Brady Smith was dismissed midway through the half after earning his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge – Smith-s second red card of the campaign.
Sydney striker Danning completed the scoring and ended proceedings with a regulation finish deep into the second stanza to make sure of a deserved triumph for the Mariners- southern rivals.
“We competed very well this afternoon and were able to create a number of chances in the first half which was very pleasing to see,” said Mariners Youth Development Co-ordinator Damien Brown after the match.
“Sydney are a very talented side and they were able to control the ball very effectively in the second half and frustrate our attack.
“The heat probably got to our players a bit, but there are some positives to take out of the game.
“We are now starting to see the benefits of combinations which we have been working on at training.”
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk) (1. Matthew Nash (gk) 46-), 2. Steven Tibbetts (3. Nick Kapsis 60-), 6. David D-Apuzzo (17. Matthew Lewis 60-), 7. Andrew Clark, 9. Brady Smith, 10. Glen Trifiro, 11. Darko Vidovic (8. Ty Owens 60-), 12. Scott Wright, 13. Laurence Braude, 14. Greg Owens, 16. Paul O-Grady
Yellow Cards Smith 42-, 66-, Greg Owens 68-, Tw Owens 72-
Red Cards Smith 66-
Goals Greg Owens 29-
Sydney FC 20. Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 2. Rhyan Grant, 4. Chris Triantis, 5. Luke Austin (6. Kearyn Baccus 57-), 7. Robbie Mileski, 8. Marc Warren, 9. Kerim Bulut (15. Corey Gameiro 61-), 10. Zach Cairncross, 11. Kofi Danning, 12. Ibrahim Haydar, 13. Sam Munro
Yellow Cards Bulut 26-, Warren 38-
Red Cards None
Goals Cairncross 5-, Munro 48-, Danning 87-
Referee Kurt Ams
