The Central Coast Mariners Academy sides continue their journey on the road as the men take on Bonnyrigg White Eagles and the women play the high-flying Gladesville Ravens.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
After getting back to winning ways against Canterbury Bankstown FC, the men will be looking to make it two in a row against Bonnyrigg as well as continue their chase for the NPL 2 top four.
The men currently sit 8th on the table, 7 points behind league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers. Since their uplifting start to the season with a win over the Wanderers and a draw to St George FC, the men hit a minor hurdle with two defeats in a row before their victory on the weekend. Dylan Ruiz-Diaz has come to form of late, netting three goals in his last three games for the academy as well as Peter Kekeris who netted a brace last week.
Bonnyrigg sit below the men’s academy in 9th place after their 1-0 victory over GHFA Spirit FC. It’s been a mixed start for the White Eagles having won two, drawn one and lost two.
A win for the men will create momentum in their chase for not only the top four but also a boost in the Club Championship standings.
Last week’s academy squad: Aiden Munford (GK), Daniel Hall, Michael Glassock (c), Lewis Miller, Ollie Valentine, Joshua Nisbet, Alec Vinci, Charles William, Emmanuel Peters, Jordan Smylie, Peter Kekeris
Match details
Saturday, 13 April 2019
NSW NPL 2 Round 7
Match: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
Venue: Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg Heights
Kick Off: 6:30pm
.@dylan_ruizdiaz ⚽️⚽️@11kekeris ⚽️⚽️@Jsmylie21 ⚽️
Our academy boys are back in the winner's circle, firing five goals past Canterbury Bankstown. ?? https://t.co/OrxerldBnf #CCMFC #NPLNSW pic.twitter.com/lfMkl4BBcs
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 8, 2019
Gladesville Ravens vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy Women
An injury depleted Mariners Women side suffered their second defeat in a row after a 4-1 defeat to Marconi Stallions last Sunday and face a difficult challenge as top of the table Gladesville Ravens awaits.
After a great start to the NPL 2 season, the women have hit a hurdle with long term injuries to key players in their squad. They now sit 8th on the table, 9 points away from Gladesville who are top but are only two points away from 3rd place.
Gladesville sit on top of the league and are also undefeated in the first five games of the season, scoring 21 goals and only conceding 4. They also have Emily Diaz who is tied top of the NPL 2 goalscoring charts.
Dan Barrett’s women will be wanting to end Gladesville’s bright start to the season and get back to winning ways.
“The first half performance was much better against Marconi. I thought we very unlucky to not be in front early if not for some fantastic saves in the opening minutes from the Marconi keeper,” Barrett said. “The depth was tested again last week but I don’t think it was the lack of the depth that hurt us, we unfortunately just ran out of players in the end due to illness and injury.
“In what wasn’t the most attractive game of football it was energy that got to us. We unfortunately had to make two changes inside the first 30 minutes in what was already a shortened bench.
“Gladesville are the top side leaving everybody in their wake so far this season. We are again unfortunately down on numbers this week but based on our efforts and attitude at training we are not lacking belief and we take a team there raring to go.
“We have had to start again. It’s a new young team learning to play together but it is a group that in training is making all right steps towards improving and understanding each other.”
Last week’s academy squad: Rhiannon Hines (GK), Indianna Auddino, Gabrielle Blanch, Nina Collins, Kate Duffy, Haylie Eyers, Kaitlin Murphy, Katie Oliveira, Elizabeth Shorter, Iona Snape, Danielle Wise
Match Details
Sunday, 14 April 2019
NSW NPL 2 Round 6
Match: Gladesville Ravens vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy Women
Venue: Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Kick Off: 6:00pm
