The Central Coast Mariners Foxtel National Youth League team have taken a 2-0 win away from home to the Newcastle Jets thanks to strikes by Sean Pratt & Matt Lee.
Ben Cahn’s side now boast a five-game unbeaten run in the Foxtel National Youth League competition with their second consecutive win.
It was a cagey affair at Magic Park, Broadmeadow where the Mariners took the lead in just the 18th minute of play. Reece Papadimitrios was on dead ball duties and delivered a dangerous cross into the Newcastle box that resulted in the first goal of the day to Pratt who made no mistake with the finish.
Leading into the break both keepers were called upon but the Yellow & Navy maintained their lead at half time.
The Newcastle Jets came out firing in the second half and had multiple chances but Mariners’ goalkeeper, Adam Pearce who returned from injury, was as sharp as ever in between the sticks. The Mariners showed plenty of character to hold on.
The home side’s biggest chance came with 10 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty but Adam Pearce had other ideas. Cody Carroll stepped up for the Jets and Pearce dived the right way to thwart the spot kick for his third penalty save of the season.
To put the result beyond doubt, substitute Matt Lee fired home from close range to double the lead in the final minute of the match to return to the Central Coast with all three points.
Cahn’s side now face a challenging home match next Saturday at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Kick-off is 4:00pm and entry is FREE!
