The Central Coast Mariners Youth have been edged 2-0 in a tight affair by the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth thanks to a brace by Steven Lustica at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence.
Central Coast Mariners Youth 0 Western Sydney Wanderers Youth 2 (Lustica 30’ & 49’)
By purchasing 1 adult ticket you can bring the rest of your family 4 FREE! Yep, for as low as you can bring the whole family. Join us on December 3, for some Sunday 5pm Football! Redeem offer & more info ? https://t.co/d6wYCunyp4 #CCMvPER pic.twitter.com/d6Pbiw6tve
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 24, 2017
Despite some promising chances and positive play, the game would be decided by a brace to a returning Hyundai A-League player from the Wanderers.
After both teams worked hard to settle themselves into the match it was the Wanderers Youth who had the first chance of the half in the 11th minute. A-League player, Lachlan Scott attempted to head home which called Tom Glover into a sharp save on his line.
The best chance of the first half fell to the Mariners in Jordan Smylie, who found himself with a one-on-one opportunity. The young striker steadied himself to shoot but somehow, Nicholas Suman’s outstretched hand denied the Mariners in the 22nd minute.
Then, it was the Wanderers who opened the scoring thanks to some clever play on the left wing by Manyiel Riel Majok. Majok’s precision ball from the left found a charging Steven Lustica who fired home from close range, giving Glover no chance to make a save in the 30th minute.
It's GAME DAY for both our @ALeague & #FNYL teams!
Entry is FREE at Tuggerah this morning for our Youth League game. Kick-off is 10:30am vs. @wswanderersfc.
Our @ALeague boys are away to @WgtnPhoenixFC and kick-off at 5:35pm (AEDT)#WELvCCM #WSWvCCM pic.twitter.com/YpGRGyJaCa
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 24, 2017
The goal didn’t halt the attacking efforts of the Mariners though, who managed back-to-back chances just minutes later.
Lachlan Wales played a precision through ball through to Smylie who fired another impressive shot but Suman made an equally impressive save. Less than a minute later Wales had a shot of his own that was just wide.
Five minutes into the second half, Lustica had his brace. Again, it was assisted by Majok on the left but Lustica, still with plenty to do, fired his shot from just inside the box neatly into the bottom corner.
In the middle of the park, Josh Nisbet put in another impressive shift and created a great chance for Smylie to jag a goal back in the 70th minute. The striker did well but his shot just found the side netting.
The Mariners had another chance to feature on the scoresheet in stoppage time thanks to a great ball by Lachie Wales who was dangerous for the full 90 minutes. His pinpoint cross found substitute, Emmanuel Peters in the box who attempted to flick past Suman but again the Mariners found the side netting.
In blazing conditions at Tuggerah, the match ended in a 2-0 win to the Wanderers.
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1.Thomas GLOVER (GK), 2.Lewis MILLER, 4.Michael GLASSOCK, 5.Jack KUIPERS (c), 6.Josh NISBET (17.Matias PAZ 76’), 7.Lachlan WALES, 9.Jordan SMYLIE, 11.Peter KEKERIS, 15.Kyle JOHNSON (10.Charles WILLIAM 57’), 6.Harry ASCROFT, 18.Assad TAOUIL (12.Emmanuel PETERS 55’),
Substitutes not used: 20. Jack GREENWOOD
Western Sydney FC Youth: 1.Nicholas SUMAN (GK) 14.Mohamed ADAM (6.Moudi NAJJAR 64’), 5.Mathieu CORDIER, 10.Kostandinos GROZOS, 3.Jordon HALL, 7.Manyielm RIEL MAJOK, 4.Fabian MONGE, 12.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 2.Tate RUSSELL, 9.Lachlan SCOTT (11.Matthew LECCE 79’), 8.Steven LUSTICA (17.Abdelrahman KUKU 59’)
Substitutes not used: 20.Daniel AXFORD (GK)
