The Central Coast Mariners’ goalkeeping stocks have today been further boosted by the capture of vastly experienced 27-year-old shot stopper Matthew Nash from NSW Premier League challengers APIA Leichhardt.
The Central Coast Mariners- goalkeeping stocks have today been further boosted by the capture of vastly experienced 27-year-old shot stopper Matthew Nash from NSW Premier League challengers APIA Leichhardt.
With Nash inking a one-year deal with the reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers, the Mariners now have four goalkeepers on their books for their fourth Hyundai A-League tilt, with Nash competing with Australian youth internationals Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic and guest player Mark Bosnich for the Mariners- top spot in goal.
With Vukovic suspended from Round 3 through to Round 7 of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, Bosnich recruited for seven rounds only and Redmayne set to feature heavily with the Qantas Young Socceroos throughout the campaign, Nash-s addition ensures that the Mariners will be well represented between the sticks for the duration of season four.
Nash recently completed his second season at Lambert Park with APIA Leichhardt, who only narrowly missed out on qualification for the NSW Premier League finals series by virtue of an inferior goal difference to rivals Sydney Olympic.
Throughout the 22 game NSW Premier League season, Nash kept seven clean sheets for the Tigers in his second standout campaign with the inner-west Sydney club, who also qualified for the quarterfinals of the statewide Tiger Turf Cup.
“Matthew comes to the Mariners with a proven track record in arguably Australia-s premier second tier football competition and with total endorsement from our Goalkeeper Coach John Crawley, who foresees a big future for this outstanding talent,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“With Matthew on board, we have assembled a goalkeeping contingent that I believe will be the envy of each of our Hyundai A-League rivals – the standout goalkeeper of the NSW Premier League in addition to three of Australia-s genuinely exciting goalkeeping talents in Mark Bosnich, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic.”
Sydney-born Nash was first introduced to the Hyundai A-League in 2007/08 when appearing for the Mariners- southern rivals Sydney FC in the absence of incumbent Sydney custodian Clint Bolton against the Perth Glory in Round 3.
Nash impressed onlookers with a convincing clean sheet that secured a 0-0 draw away from home for Sydney FC, before settling for a place on the substitutes bench for five of Sydney FC-s other Hyundai A-League fixtures that season.
Although uncapped at any FIFA recognised youth international level, Nash represented an Australian Schoolboys selection in 1998 and 1999 for tours of New Zealand and Fiji and matches at home against a Welsh Colleges selection.
With Nash on board, the Mariners have now completed their 22-man senior line up for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, with Football Manager Lawrie McKinna still able to explore an option to sign a 23rd and final senior player.
“It-s been an ambition of mine to break into the Hyundai A-League on a full-time basis and I-m delighted to have been given this opportunity by the Central Coast Mariners,” said Nash.
“I have trained with my new team-mates on a number of occasions over the past few seasons and I-ve worked extensively with Goalkeeper Coach John Crawley previously and I-m confident that the set up here will give me the best possible chance to further my career ambitions and contribute to a big season with the Mariners.
“The line up that has been assembled here is undoubtedly the best that I-ve ever been part of at any level of football and it-s exciting to be looking forward to the challenge of a Hyundai A-League season – one where I-m certain that the Mariners can be successful.”
Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Squad
1. Matthew Nash (gk), 2. Andre Gumprecht, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Bradley Porter, 6. David D-Apuzzo, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Dean Heffernan, 9. Nik Mrdja, 10. Adrian Caceres, 11. Dylan Macallister, 12. Greg Owens, 13. Paul O-Grady, 15. Andrew Clark, 16. Nigel Boogaard, 17. Matthew Osman, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Matt Simon, 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 21. Ahmad Elrich, 22. Sasho Petrovski, 23. Mile Jedinak, 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk), 40. Mark Bosnich (gk) [Guest Player]
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues at their Bluetongue Stadium home this Saturday, 23 August, when they host southern rivals Sydney FC. Kick off is at 7pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale now from all Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are now on sale at www.ccmariners.com.au.
