Central Coast Mariners Academy stunned an in-form Sydney United 58 team on Sunday afternoon, as goals from Ahmad Elhelou and Jai Rose sealed a 3-1 win at Pluim Park.
It was a clinical performance from the Mariners who were devastating on the counter attack, with the win making it a double over United this season after they also put three past them early in the season.
However, since that Round Five result, the two sides have been on completely different paths, with the Mariners’ young side struggling to turn performances into results whilst United have been in fine form, winning their last seven matches in all competitions to sit sixth on the ladder whilst making the Australia Cup Round of 32.
🔢 Line-Up
Starting XI: Joel Wade (GK), Luca Pecora, Michael Paragalli, Ben Mewett, Ahmad Elhelou, Mow, Jai Rose, Muginga Mpota, Shumba Mutokoyi, Laurence Taylor, Kye Schumacher.
Substitutions:
71′ ON: Angus Reid, Jesse Mantell OFF: Mpota, Taylor
88′ ON: Flynn Richards OFF: Mow
90+4′ ON: Ty McKibbin, Harrison Jablonski OFF: Elhelou, Rose
Unused subs: Jai Ajanovic (GK).
First Half
It was a first half of few clear cut chances, with only four shots on target between the two sides in the opening 45.
The first real chance of the game came for the Mariners on 16 minutes as Mow climbed to meet a looping cross at the back post, but he couldn’t guide his header on target.
At the other end, Carlos De Oliveira had United’s first effort of note on 23 minutes, a speculative strike from range which had to be smartly saved by Wade down to his right.
The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes and it was a scintillating counter attack from the Mariners. A United corner was headed away before Rose stole possession on halfway and drove forward, skipping past the recovering United defender before sliding in Elhelou who had made a lung-bursting run to get up in support, he took the shot on first time and calmly slid the ball past Josip Orlovic.
The Mariners survived one scare late in the first half to go in ahead at the break, Patrick Antelmi with a shot on the turn which curled just wide of Wade’s goal.
Second half
The Mariners almost doubled their lead less than two minutes into the second half, Schumacher forcing a strong save from Orlovic after another swift Mariners counter attack down the right.
At the other end, Wade made a fine reaction save of his own, keeping out what was a golden opportunity for Aiden Milicevic inside the box.
That save would prove crucial as the Mariners made it count at the other end less than two minutes later, Rose was found in space by Michael Paragalli before unleashing a ferocious strike which was too powerful for Orlovic, to double the Mariners lead.
United pulled one back on 66 minutes to heap the pressure on the Mariners, Mason Wells’ cross from the right made its way through to Alessandro Lacalandra who was able to tap home and get the visitors back in the game.
An end-to-end second half continued as the Mariners were somehow kept out after a goalmouth scramble followed a Mutokoyi header from a corner, before Wells threatened at the other end, cutting in and shooting low on his dangerous left foot but it was well kept out by Wade.
Elhelou could have wrapped things up for the Mariners on 88 minutes but he was denied one-on-one by Orlovic, but there would be another chance for the Mariners number nine moments later.
It was a moment of madness from Orlovic who gathered a long-ball over the top at the edge of his area, before lashing out at Mariners substitute Richards, with the United keeper shown a red card and the Mariners awarded a penalty.
United were forced to sub on second choice goalkeeper Adrian-Jamie Bazina whose first involvement would be to face an Elhelou spot-kick, which he managed to keep out at the first attempt but Elhelou was alert on the follow up and fired home to seal the win for the Mariners.
▶️ Highlights
Watch the full highlights here, thanks to Football NSW.
🏡 Next Up
The Mariners have a long run of home matches at Pluim Park, which continues this coming weekend with a massive clash against Mount Druitt (Sunday 29th June, 3pm). A win would see the Mariners leapfrog Druitt to move off the foot of the table in NPL NSW.
Entry to all academy matches at Pluim Park is FREE, so head down to support the Mariners’ next generation!
