The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League side has continued its encouraging start to the 2010/11 season, with a hard fought 1-all draw against Brisbane Roar this afternoon.
The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League side has continued its encouraging start to the 2010/11 season, with a hard fought 1-all draw against Brisbane Roar this afternoon.
The Mariners started brightly at Spencer Park, heading into the break up 1-nil thanks to Mitchell Duke, before a Roar side, inspired by a strong performance by former Mariners- custodian Andrew Redmayne, fought back to secure a point.
“The signs are very good,” said Mariners Head Coach Tony Walmsley.
“Our combinations are getting better by the day, we had a lot of players still on State League duty until quite late in the Pre-Season, but on the back of last week-s win over Melbourne, and today-s game, I-m confident we can be a force this season.”
It took the Yellow and Navy just two minutes to go ahead, with a well-worked counter attack.
After confusion in the Roar backline, Central Coast-s Mitchell Mallia swung a quick cross into the area to teammate Mitchell Duke, who caught Brisbane ‘keeper Andrew Redmayne off guard with a swift nod to the far post.
Mallia and Nick Fitzgerald continued to threaten Brisbane-s goal, and after fifteen minutes of play, forced a diving save from Redmayne with a low, driving shot from outside the penalty box.
Mallia was next to try his luck against the Brisbane custodian, but the Gosford City Dragons- junior was up to the challenge from the Mariners striker, racing outwards and blocking the effort with his head.
The Roar chased an equaliser as the half wore on, with strike duo Matt Thurtell and Josh McVey looking lively in the final third.
While Thurtell-s shot failed to challenge Nik Matic between the posts for the Mariners, McVey-s quick turn and shot in front of goal proved more challenging for the goalkeeper who had to stretch to get both hands on the ball.
Central Coast could have had another goal before the half-time whistle when a thunderbolt strike from Central Coast livewire Mallia hit the upright to Redmayne-s right, but the home side stood strong and went into the break looking confident.
The home side continued to push forward with Luke Brattan trying a decent shot from long range, before a skilful left-footed strike from McVey found the side netting.
Capitalising on an error in the Mariners defence, McVey had another chance to put Brisbane level in the 70th minute when a neat through ball from McLean released McVey in front of goal, however, Central Coast gloveman Matic did well to collect the ball under pressure.
Seven minutes later, Brisbane substitute Ross Archibald finally gave the home crowd something to cheer about, producing a stunning right-footed strike from 25 yards out that Matic could only watch fly past him and into the net.
McCormick and McVey both had chances to put Brisbane ahead in the closing stages but it was a free-kick from Milovanovic with the final kick of the game that went closest to securing Brisbane-s second win of the National Youth League campaign when he effort was scrambled off the line before the referee blew his whistle to bring the match to a close.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar Youth 1 (Ross Archibald 77-)
Central Coast Mariners Youth 1 (Mitchell Duke 2-)
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 3. Alistair QUINN, 4. Matthew BYRNE, 6. Jordan MASON (2. Liam McCORMICK 45-), 7. Christopher BUSH (c), 8. James DONACHIE, 9. Matthew THURTELL (10. Jacob McLEAN 45-), 11. Joshua McVEY, 12. Kenneth DOUGALL, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 15. Luke BRATTAN (14. 12. Ross ARCHIBALD 59-)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Nicholas TUBBS (gk)
Yellow Cards: Dane MILOVANOVIC 15-, Alistair QUINN 84-
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners line-up: 1. Nikodin MATIC (gk), 3. Jerry KALOURIS, 4. Alexander MANSUETO, 5. James OATES, 6. Sam MUNRO (c) (15. Adam ORMSBY 59-), 7. Brendan GRIFFIN, 8. Nicholas FITZGERALD, 9. Bernie IBINI-ISEI (2. Max GLANVILLE 59-), 10. Mitchell DUKE (16. Nathan JAGELMAN 52-), 11. Mitchell MALLIA, 12. Matthew LEWIS
Substitutes Not Used: 20. David BRADASEVIC (gk)
Yellow Cards: Adam ORMSBY 68-
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Matthew Skinner
