Both the men and women’s Central Coast Mariners Academy teams claimed wins last week and we caught up with both Head Coaches ahead of their respective fixtures.
The Central Coast Mariners are calling on all Mariners fans to get down and support the girls in their first home game of the season. Kick-off is 3pm at Pluim Park this Sunday and entry is FREE!
The Mariners Women kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win over St George away from home last week and come into this weekend’s clash with APIA Leichhardt full of confidence.
Head Coach, Dan Barrett expects a tough proposition from this week’s opponent and urged Mariners fans to get down and show their support.
“I was really happy with our start,” Barrett said. “We came out ready and focussed to come away with the three points and it was a real conscious effort to make sure we got the season off to a positive start. It’s full credit to the girls that they were able to do that.
“We look well organised, we worked really hard on that in the off-season both on and off the ball. Although we’ve got a lot of work to go you can certainly see there was some good transfer from the training track onto the field.
“We expect a very difficult game. They’ve got some W-League experience in their ranks and they are going to be a side who will challenge at the top but we want to challenge at the top as well. It’s a big rest early but we’re really looking forward to this Sunday.
“We would really appreciate as much home support as possible. We are the pinnacle female women’s side in the local area and we represent the Coast with a lot of pride, this year we’re pushing for a successful season and I think if people come out and watched the game they would be surprised with what they see,” Barrett said.
Match Details
Sunday, 18 March 2018
PS4 NPL Women Round 2
Match: Central Coast Mariners Academy vs. APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Venue: Pluim Park Lisarow
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEDT)
Entry Fee: FREE!
The Central Coast Mariners Academy men were also victorious thanks to a Jordan Smylie strike in the 80th minute.
The men are undefeated with a draw and a win to their names after two games heading into a period where they will play away from home four weeks running.
Head Coach Wayne O’Sullivan congratulated his side on their ‘mature’ performance and looks forward to the challenge presented by Blacktown Spartans this Sunday.
“It was a great win on the weekend and a very mature performance from a young group of players,” O’Sullivan said. “We had 12 fresh players for each grade and all three grades did a great job and the first team got their deserved win in the end.
“The boys were very upbeat after the game on the weekend and obviously the week before they came from behind to draw 2-2, so now they’ve shown already on two occasions that they can not only play the right way but they can get a result by playing that way, which breeds confidence in what we’re trying to achieve.
“Jordan Smylie’s output over the last couple of weeks has been nothing short of phenomenal, he’s ran from minute zero to 93 with the same energy and enthusiasm. That’s how he approaches every day and he’s all about the team. It’s quite unique for a striker to be so self-sacrificing for the team, so for him as an individual that he’s been rewarded with a goal on both occasions. But, he will be the first to tell you we’ve had a lot of chances in those games – he’s remained persistent and got his reward.
“This week we expect to have Charles William back from injury and potentially Jack Kuipers back, both of those players add some serious depth to what we do, so that would be great,” O’Sullivan said.
Match Details
Sunday, 18 March 2018
PS4 NPL Men Round 3
Match: Blacktown Spartans vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
Venue: Blacktown Football Park, Blacktown
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEDT)
