Round 2 of the PS4 NPL 2 sees the Central Coast Mariners Academy host their first home game of the season against Mounties Wanderers. Kick-off is 6pm on Sunday and entry is FREE!
In round one the Mariners took a first half lead and were ultimately forced to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Rydalmere Lions away from home.
Mounties are also coming off the back of a draw, having tied things up with Northern Tigers 3-3 last Sunday.
Head Coach Wayne O’Sullivan reflected on his side’s 2-2 draw with Rydalmere, noting there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
It’s almost kick-off time for our academy’s first match of the campaign, here’s how the two teams line up! A former Mariner in Ahmad Elrich starts for Rydalmere #CCMFC #NPLNSW pic.twitter.com/Z5bubhaB3I
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 4, 2018
“The boys were excellent,” O’Sullivan said. “They were very good and totally controlled the game, created lots and lots of chances. The unfortunate part was that we didn’t take all of those chances which allowed Rydalmere to stay in the game.
“They were obviously a lot more mature than us but we were very good and it was a really good start from a performance point of view but we’re disappointed not to take all three points,” O’Sullivan said.
Round two makes for a different proposition and O’Sullivan expects another tough battle against an experienced Mounties outfit.
Our young academy boys came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rydalmere away from home!
Report ✍️ https://t.co/ZOAQoLND9C#CCMFC #NPLNSW pic.twitter.com/u3zl85PNvu
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 4, 2018
“They are very physical in what they do,” O’Sullivan said. “They have two big powerful forwards so it will be a test. Both of those strikers are proven goal scorers at this level.
“They’ve got a lot of experience throughout their team at the NPL 1 & 2 level so it will be a tough test.
“We’re a little bit light on numbers this week with some players doubtful. But the way we’ve approached the senior set up this season is that there is no division between the 20s and first grade teams. We’ve trained as a group of 30 players and all of those players have been told the same message – that no one has a divine right to play first grade.
“Across the top three weeks we could potentially have 6-8 players unavailable from last week, which makes the challenge even harder this particular week,” O’Sullivan said.
Mariners fans are encouraged to get down to Pluim Park and support the Central Coast Mariners Academy this Sunday evening!
Match Details
Sunday, 11 March 2018
PS4 NPL 2 Round 2
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs. Mounties Wanderers
Venue: Pluim Park, Lisarow
Kick-off: 6pm
