The Central Coast Mariners have ended a tough battle with a 1-0 loss to Sydney FC courtesy of a goal to Jeremy Cox in the 65th minute.
It was a tight affair at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, contested by an unfamiliar looking Mariners outfit where the likes of Hyundai A-League players: Josh Bingham, Adam Berry, Kye Rowles, Adam Pearce and Trent Buhagiar granted invaluable game time.
It took just three minutes for the Mariners Youth to create their first chance of the match when Lachie Wales crossed in expertly from the wing, Bingham let rip on a vicious header that was just over the crossbar.
Six minutes later, Sydney FC produced a chance of their own but Adam Pearce did well in goals to keep the scores locked at 0-0. The young shot stopper was on hand again to make another crucial save in the 23rd minute.
Here’s how our Foxtel National Youth League line up in this afternoon’s match against @SydneyFC Youth! pic.twitter.com/pQf9fkXaTo
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 17, 2017
Then, in the 28th minutes another ball from Lachie Wales almost paid dividends which this time found Buhagiar who fired a shot that was deflected wide.
Wales was having a hand in everything in this game, another ball from the exciting winger found the feet of Matias Paz who shot just wide of the target which saw the sides hit the sheds locked a 0-0.
Adam Berry looked to take the game into his own hands five minutes into the second half with a vicious strike from distance but the Sydney FC keeper was up to the task. He followed that up with another long-range strike just five minutes later which thumped off the crossbar.
In the 55th minute, Bingham tried his luck with a free-kick but the Sydney FC keeper made another save at 0-0.
NYL | Here's your line ups for today's clash @SydneyFC v @CCMariners kick off 4:30pm at CCM Centre of Excellence #SydneyIsSkyBlue pic.twitter.com/0JosO3Y1Ae
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 17, 2017
Despite numerous chances to bag the opener, the away side snatched the lead in the 65th minute when Jeremy Cox found the back of the net for Sydney FC which was the final score for the afternoon.
Full attention now turns to Saturday December 30 for Wayne O’Sullivan’s Youth Team who host the Newcastle Jets. Kick-off is 10:30am.
