The Central Coast Mariners Foxtel National Youth League team have secured a convincing victory over Football Federation Australia Centre of Excellence headlined by a Duncan Stewart hat-trick.
It was a hot day on the Coast and both teams retreated for a drinks break halfway through the first half when the mercury was a click under 30 degrees Celsius.
It was just after that first break that the Mariners had their opening goal thanks to some pure speed down the right through Brenton Fox. Fox broke down the right wing before whipping in a precision cross that hit the feet of Wales in the box. From close range, Wales did well to control and fire home.
Leading into half time the Mariners did well to dominate possession and field position with several chances to double their lead in the front third but the Yellow & Navy went into the sheds with a 1-0 lead at home.
After kick-off for the second half it wouldn’t be long until the lead was doubled in the 49th minute where Duncan Stewart had his goal. Sean Pratt slotted a great through ball to the feet of Stewart who pulled the trigger that saw his shot deflect off a defender, back off Stewart and into the back of the net from close range.
10 minutes later it was Stewart again who doubled his own tally of the day and bagged the Mariners third goal. The ball bounced around in the box before Stewart calmly put his foot on it and finished from inside the six yard box, putting the result beyond doubt.
The momentum took a slight shift in the 64th minute when the FFA COE’s John Roberts scored for the away team with an impressive strike that flew into Munford’s top corner.
In the 59th minute Stewart had his hat-trick on the back off a great run by Wales down the left. Wales slotted a ball in behind the back four to the feet of Stewart who finished into an open net.
The FFA COE had a consolation goal with five minutes to go when Roberts had his brace from point blank range.
Full attention now turns to Foxtel National Youth League round seven that will see the Mariners Youth face Newcastle Jets on December 30 in Newcastle.
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1.Aidan Munford (gk), 2.Shelford Dais, 4.Reece Papadimitrios, 7. Lachlan Wales, 10.Duncan Stewart, 12.Mortaza Safdari, 17.Jacques Faty (21.Peter Kekeris, 78’), 18.Steve Whyte (14.Gianni Stensness 54’), 22.Sean Pratt, 25.James Enticknap (8.Thomas Lyons 33’)
Substitutes: 20.Maki Petratos
Football Federation Australia COE: 1.Lachlan Watson (gk), 21.Melad Ahmad (15.Luke Callen 72’), 4.Kaleb Cox, 17.Louis D’Arrigo, 7.Jacob Italiano (2.James Fletcher 79’), 5.Joel King, 16.Benjamin Obst, 9.John Roberts, 3.Patrick Scibilio, 23. Marc Tokich (20.Bryce Bafford 53’), 6.Kai Trewin,
Substitutes: 12.Jakeb Wiseman
