The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League (NYL) side has gone down 2-0 to Adelaide United in overcast conditions at Bluetongue Stadium this afternoon.
The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League (NYL) side has gone down 2-0 to Adelaide United in overcast conditions at Bluetongue Stadium this afternoon.
Michael Debono and Francesco Monterosso found the back of the net for the youngsters from the South Australian capital either side of half time to secure the Reds their third straight triumph over the Mariners in the NYL this season.
The opening half can be best described as tentative as there were very few real scoring chances for either side.
The best chance for the hosts fell at the quarter hour mark, when striker Darko Vidovic was unable to finish off a strong passing raid that began in midfield.
Moments later, homegrown talent Brady Smith took an opportunistic shot from distance which flew centimeters wide of the post.
Mariners custodian Andrew Redmayne, the only Hyundai A-League experienced player on the pitch for the yellow and navy, provided a highlight at the other end of the pitch with a brilliant reflex save midway through the half.
Debono gave the visitors the lead when he found himself unmarked on the stroke of halftime to produce a regulation finish from a set piece.
The second half saw plenty of enthusiasm from both sides and a more open game was the outcome.
The young Mariners showed plenty of heart and commitment in defence, with captain Nathan Sherlock leading the way in his return from injury to frustrate the Reds- attack on several occasions.
Adelaide doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute when Monterosso blasted home from short distance past replacement ‘keeper Matthew Nemes.
The yellow and navy continued to press forward in search of an elusive goal and were nearly rewarded in the dying moments when an impressive Daniel Taylor strike rebounded off the crossbar.
“Adelaide simply outplayed us tonight and it-s a shame we haven-t been able to show our loyal home fans our best football throughout the season,” said Mariners Youth Development Co-ordinator Damien Brown after the match.
“There are some positives to come out of tonight-s performance, we competed well but seemed to run out of energy and we were a bit flat to start.
“It was positive that this was the first time we have played our genuine youth team without senior players – the bounce of the ball didn-t go our way tonight, but that-s football.”
The Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) campaign continues on Friday, 30 January, when the yellow and navy young guns travel to Adamstown Oval to face northern rivals the Newcastle Jets. Kick off is at 5pm.
The Mariners- maiden NYL season will conclude at Lisarow-s Pluim Park against southern rivals and NYL high flyers Sydney FC on Saturday, 14 February. Kick off is at 5pm and entry is free.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk) (1. Matthew Nemes (gk) 59-), 2. Steven Tibbetts, 5. Nathan Sherlock, 8. Ashley Balcomb (6. Ty Owens 59-), 9. Brady Smith, 10. Glen Trifiro, 11. Darko Vidovic (7. Matthew Lewis 46-), 12. Scott Wright (14. Tim McGowan 58-), 13. Laurence Braude (8. Ashley Balcomb 82-), 17. Sean Mitchell, 21. Daniel Taylor
Yellow Cards Balcomb 48-, Tibbetts 49-
Red Cards None
Goals None
Adelaide United 30. Mark Birighitti (gk), 2. Michael Doyle, 4. Angelo Costanzo, 5. Shane Tobias, 6. Alex Sunasky (3. Scott Weidenbach 54-), 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Matthew Mullen (21. Angelo Arambatzis 61-), 9. Andrew Ciarla, 10. Osama Malik, 15. Francesco Monterosso, 16. Micahel Debono (11. Joseph Costa 58-)
Unused Subs 40. Lucas Andreucci (gk)
Yellow Cards Costa 86-, Doyle 90-+2
Red Cards None
Goals Debono 43-, Monterosso 72-
Referee Tim McGilchrist
