The Central Coast Mariners’ Foxtel National Youth League side have gone down 3-0 to Sydney FC in this afternoon’s final round at the Mariners’ Centre Of Excellence, Tuggerah.
The Mariners welcomed A-League players Jacques Faty and Jacob Poscoliero into the match day squad to help stablilize in defence, but also give them much needed minutes leading into next weekend’s Hyundai A-League match against Perth Glory.
The visitors went ahead early on thanks to an own goal from centre back Jacques Faty in the 6th minute, but from then on in the Mariners took control and had a number of chances, with the best chance of the first 45 minutes falling to Reece Papadimitrios from a dead ball situation. The ball looked destined for the back of the net but keeper Thomas Manos tipped the ball around the post.
With the game being do-or-die for the young Mariners, the squad needed to push numbers forward to bag an equaliser. However, despite attacking Sydney FC’s goal frequently, Sydney took a 2-0 lead from a counter attack via a neat finish from Christopher Arditti in the 80th minute.
The Mariners pushed, and continued to send numbers forward but conceded another in the 91st minute when William Mutch tapped home from close range, ensuring Sydney FC took the three points, the Conference B premiers title, and cemented their place in next weekends final against Melbourne City.
The loss concludes the Mariners’ Foxtel National Youth League campaign, finishing with three wins, three draws and two losses from their eight matches.
