After a defeat on Thursday, the Central Coast Mariners Academy responded in the best possible fashion with a 6-2 thumping of Bankstown City at Jensen Park, with Brenton Fox nailing four in a superb personal display.
Two goals to the good by half time, the goals continued to flow after the break, the Mariners steering to a five-goal lead before Huseyin Jasli and Jeffrey Issa salvaged some pride for the Lions.
But despite the bumpy Jensen Park pitch, this match was all about the Central Coast, with Shelford Dais and Duncan Stewart also finding the back of the net, giving the Mariners the upper hand over the immediate rivals with the final round to play.
A far superior goal difference to the Yellow & Navy may well prove crucial in the final standings with the PS4 NPL 2 ladder ridiculously congested. With a game to play against Spirit at home this weekend, the win is a must for Ben Cahn’s Mariners Academy who currently occupy equal 5th place with 37 points alongside three other teams.
Just ahead of the Mariners sit the Western Sydney Wanderers and Mt Druitt on 38 points. Leading the pack are St George (41 points) and Marconi (62 points).
There are a lot of possible scenarios heading into the final round of the competition with the best one seeing the Mariners finish in third position.
In saying that, a win will confirm the Mariners place in the finals series.
