It was a dramatic ending to the Central Coast Mariners’ Foxtel Y-League season-opener where two goals in the final five minutes of play sealed a 3-2 win to the Mariners.
A trip to the nation’s capital kicked off our Foxtel Y-League campaign where we equalised twice in the second half through Alec Vinci & Josh Macdonald before a Canberra United own goal in stoppage time saw us emerge with all three points.
The game kicked off in exciting fashion and it was the home team that boasted an early lead. Canberra United took the lead after just three minutes thanks to a strike from distance to Brodie Clarkson.
A goal to United wouldn’t deter the Mariners though, who created numerous chances throughout the first half to keep the game at an up-tempo fashion. Peter Kekeris was one of the Mariners’ most dangerous prospects going forward, putting his best chance of the half just wide of the goal in the 36th minute.
Canberra United went into the break with a half time lead but the Mariners wasted no time bagging the equaliser which they had from a set piece just five minutes into the second half.
A curling corner found the head of Alec Vinci who leapt above the pack to head home to make it 1-1
10 minutes later, Canberra United regained the lead when Timotheou ran across the byline and cut a pass back to Barbatano who made no mistake with his finish.
The Mariners were 2-1 down with 30 minutes to play but there was still plenty of game to play.
They left it late, but in the 87th minute, Josh Macdonald scored the Mariners’ second header of the night to equalise – both teams looked certain to share the spoils.
However, the game had late drama in store and a cruel own goal to Canberra United saw the Mariners claim 3-2 win.
The focus of the Mariners Foxtel Y-League team turns to next Saturday where we host the Newcastle Jets at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence. Kick-off is 10:30am and entry is FREE!
Saturday, 10 November 2018
Deakin Stadium, Canberra
Canberra United Youth vs. Central Coast Mariners Youth
