Central Coast Mariners continued their pre-season preparations in fine fashion, defeating Central Coast Mariners Academy 4-1 in their first pre-season clash of 2014 in wet conditions at Pluim Park on Tuesday night.
Goals from Eddy Bosnar, Glen Trifiro, Nick Fitzgerald and trial player Nick Petrillo sealed the victory for the yellow and navy, while Louis Bozanic found the net for Jason van Blerk’s side.
The game was played over three 30 minute thirds and both sides were able to make unlimited substitutions.
Attacker Mitchell Duke had the best opportunity of the first half hour when his strike slammed into the post three minutes in.
The Academy’s first shot on goal came 13 minutes later when an impressive effort from young gun Josh Bingham forced Mariners gloveman Liam Reddy into a save.
Central Coast Mariners 2013/14 NYL Player of the Year, Jesse Curran, tried his luck only moments later but Reddy was once again up to the task to keep the score locked at 0-0.
Duke had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after the first stoppage in play, as he fired his effort across the face of goal.
Former Suwon Bluewings man Bosnar opened the scoring for the Mariners in the 41st minute as he struck home a classy header from close range.
Trifiro added another goal to the scoreboard for Phil Moss’ men soon after as he made no mistake with ‘keeper Beyhan Irmako off his line.
Bozanic, younger brother of former Mariners and Socceroos midfielder Oliver, pegged one back for the Academy right at the end of the second 30-minute interval after Jack Ragen was brought down inside the area.
Fitzgerald etched his name onto the scoresheet in the 72nd minute when he coolly converted a penalty to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead.
Young gun Petrillo rounded out the scoring for the Hyundai A-League side with six minutes left to play.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Moss said he was pleased with his team’s effort against the Academy on Tuesday and their progress so far this pre-season campaign.
“We moved the ball around well and there were some good passages of play. We haven’t done a lot of work tactically yet, it’s all been about our principles and the way we move the ball around. I’m very happy with our first hit-out, we needed the match minutes and everyone got at least 30 minutes,” said Moss.
“I was happy with the quality, the attitude was first class and we also had some young boys come in that did very well and didn’t look out of place, there are some really good signs moving forward.”
“There are plenty of positives to take from this. We’ll play an internal game on Friday and then our first FFA Cup game against South Coast Wolves next Wednesday. We’ll have to lift the intensity a notch or two, but I’m very happy with how training is going and with the players.”
Central Coast Mariners 4 (Bosnar 41’, Trifiro 55’, Fitzgerald (pen) 72’, Petrillo 84’)
Central Coast Mariners Academy 1 (Bozanic (pen) 60’)
Pluim Park, Lisarow
