With the business end of the 2020 NPL season approaching, matches are becoming more and more important for our Men’s and Women’s Mariners Academy teams. Read on to hear from both coaches ahead of the weekend and find out where everyone is playing.
NPL2 sponsored by State Road Constructions |
A win against Hakoah last week vaulted Nick Montgomery and his side in to top spot of the NSW NPL2 with four rounds to play, although facing a bye in the penultimate week.
It makes strong results in the coming rounds all the more important, and Monty said the mood in the camp is strong but there will be no special approach this weekend.
“Our mood in the squad is really good, it has been a good couple of weeks overall,” he said.
“After what was a disappointing first loss of the season against St. George down a man, we bounced back last weekend with a comfortable win and with some very young boys on the park too.
“We had Zach Waddell who is a 2004 born, Harry Steele who is 2002, amongst a good young squad and I think that speaks volumes for what we’re doing at the club.”
Attentions turn to a clash with SD Raiders away from home this weekend and a win can land them in good stead as they chase top spot at the end of the season.
“We’ve got two games left before we’ve got the bye so it’s important that we try and get maximum points, but to be honest we obviously go into every game wanting to win it.”
“There’s not one game this season we’ve gone in without that mindset so these upcoming matches will be no different.”
Monty also had praise for Matt Cahill who leads the NPL2 Golden Boot after eight weeks, as well as the team across the board and said their strong showings indicated they could cut it in a higher division.
“The disappointment of that [non-promotion] is something we have looked to channel in trying to do as well as we can in NPL2, and some of the score lines we’ve had reflect our performances and the way that we play.”
Fixtures | Saturday, 5th September @ Ernie Smith Reserve
1st Grade: SD Raiders v Central Coast Raiders – 7pm
U/20’s: SD Raiders v Central Coast Mariners – 5pm
NPLW sponsored by Club Mingara |
After a blistering start to the campaign, our Women’s senior side have been struck by injuries and departures as they continue to chase a finals spot.
Pegged back at the death by St. George last weekend they now face a massive clash against the University of NSW who sit just one win below them on the table.
Victoy could potentially open up a strong gap on the sides directly below them, and Head Coach Dan Barrett is expecting a tough showing from their opponents.
“I am expecting a good football side, full of confidence and looking to win,” he said.
“They have strengthened their senior squad each year and this season is probably their strongest yet.
“They are a tough side who have as much to play for as we do, and for us the focus has shifted this week back to basics, keeping things simple and playing the way we know how to.”
Barrett will still have some serious selection decisions to make as kick off approaches, as he bloods a young group to plug the gaps created by a raft of injuries.
“Unfortunately some of our previous injuries look to be long term,” he said.
“We will be pushing forward with a similar squad to last week, and once again we will be looking to promote players from our strong U/17 squad who all looked great last weekend.”
“It is the bonus of having such a strong youth program sitting underneath our senior setup, but I doubt I will have my mind made up on the final team until the 11th hour.
Fixtures | Sunday, 6th September @ Pluim Park
1st Grade: Central Coast Mariners v University of NSW – 3pm
Reserves: Central Coast Mariners v University of NSW – 1:05pm
