The Central Coast Mariners Academy came from behind to earn a convincing win on Saturday night against the Macarthur Rams at Pluim Park with a 5-2 triumph in Round 20 of the PS4 NPL 2.
The win sees Ben Cahn’s men claim fourth spot on the ladder above the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy with six games remaining this season.
Duncan Stewart had the Yellow & Navy off to a flying start after picking up a precision pass from James Enticknap in the 15th minute. The inform Stewart rounded the keeper with ease to bag his first goal of the night and gave his side an early lead.
Stewart’s goal however wouldn’t deter the away side who fired back two goals in quick succession. Just three minutes after Stewart’s goal the Rams lodged an attack from the right before Macarthur’s striker fired his shot just inside the upright.
Five minutes later in the 23rd minute the Rams deployed a long ball into the Mariners area which fell to the feet of their striker who had his second goal in five minutes to put his side a goal up.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Lachie Wales found the crafty Peter Kekeris on the top of the box. Kekeris steadied himself before firing a shot that flew into the bottom corner and locked the scores at 2-2 before half time.
From there on in, the momentum shifted for the Mariners who went on to take the lead and put the game to bed in impressive fashion. Again, it was Kekeris who found the back of the net with a rocket from distance in the 67th minute to put the Mariners 3-2 up. The shot made its way into the top right hand corner from a difficult angle, giving the keeper no chance to make a save.
In the 72nd minute Shelford Dais was chopped down in the box but the referee decided to play advantage before the ball rolled to Stewart. Stewart made no mistake with his finish and bagged his 15th goal of the PS4 NPL 2 campaign.
With five minutes remaining three points became a certainty when Sallu Kamara found Dais on the edge of the box, Dais made it 5-2 with his strike to highlight a successful night for the Mariners academy.
Next Saturday the Central Coast Mariners Academy travel away to face the Bankstown Berries at the Crest Athletic Centre. Kick-off is 7pm.
Earlier results:
- 18’s WON 10-2
- 20’s WON 5-1
