CENTRAL Coast Mariners National Youth League striker Patrick Dixon says he is expecting a tough contest with the Australian Institute of Sport in the Round 10 clash on Saturday.
Patrick Dixon
Image by John Dewberry
CENTRAL Coast Mariners National Youth League striker Patrick Dixon says he is expecting a tough contest with the Australian Institute of Sport in the Round 10 clash on Saturday.
“I think there are a couple of boys that started there just as I was finishing up,” the former AIS scholar said. “I know they-re good players, very solid and very determined. I know it-s going to be a big challenge for us travelling down there.”
“But everyone is feeling good and I think we have prepared well. All we can do is be confident and see how the game goes in Canberra.”
The junior Mariners will be looking for all three points after a 3-0 defeat against Melbourne Heart Youth last weekend. Despite the result against Joe Palatsides- outfit, the yellow and navy remain in top spot on the NYL ladder.
“I thought the first 20 minutes we played really well and then obviously the red card changed the dynamics of the game,” he said. “I think we worked together well as a team of ten men.”
Dixon is pleased with his side-s start to the season and believes the team will continue to improve as the campaign continues.
“We-ve got a lot of depth in the side, our coaches have been working well with us and training has also been at a high level. Hopefully, we can carry that on throughout the rest of the season,” he said.
Dixon also expressed his thoughts on his mentor, NYL Head Coach John McLafferty.
“He-s been really good for my game. He is a very positive coach; he lets you express yourself in the front third, you aren-t really playing with fear. He gives you the opportunity to play your own game and I think everyone in the team has really appreciated that,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the AIS grabbed their first point of the 2012/13 NYL campaign last weekend via a 2-2 draw against Sydney FC Youth.
Australian Institute of Sport vs. Central Coast Mariners Youth
Saturday 22 December, 2012
Kick-off: 3:00pm
AIS Athletics Track
Updates on www.Twitter.com/CCMariners & full match report on www.CCMariners.com.au
