Mile Sterjovski’s well-taken 33rd minute goal ensured Central Coast Mariners defeated Bankstown City Lions 1-0 to claim the 2013 Doug Turnbull Cup on Wednesday.
Central Coast Mariners striker Matt Simon, with the Club’s Group General Manager, Mr Peter Turnbull, and son, Chris Turnbull
Mile Sterjovski-s well-taken 33rd minute goal ensured Central Coast Mariners defeated Bankstown City Lions 1-0 to claim the 2013 Doug Turnbull Cup on Wednesday.
Played annually in tribute of Bankstown football great Doug Turnbull, the Doug Turnbull Cup offers the Mariners the chance of a high-quality pre-season test in a friendly atmosphere focused on honouring the life of Central Coast Mariners Group General Manager, Mr Peter Turnbull-s, late brother.
The 2013 version of the Doug Turnbull Cup was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to manufacture many clear-cut goalscoring opportunities in the early stages of the fixture.
Almost half an hour in new Mariners recruit Storm Roux cut in from the right before sending a firm shot at goal. Impressive Bankstown custodian Thomas Manos dropped low to thwart Roux-s attempt.
The Mariners did manage the game-s only goal four minutes later. Following a classy touch from Argentine ace Marcos Flores, Sterjovski swept a sweet right foot strike into the back of the net.
Manos, who performed strongly all evening, showed why he was on the books for Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia-s National Youth League last season in the 37th minute of play. Crafty midfielder Anthony Caceres sent a powerful volley at goal, however Manos reacted swiftly to palm the ball away for a corner.
Shortly after the half-time interval Flores had an opportunity to extend Central Coast-s advantage. Good interplay between substitute Liam O-Dell and Caceres opened a chance from the edge of the box for the former Henan Jianye man, however he lashed his shot wide of the mark.
Right-stopper Zac Anderson played an inch perfect pass forward for Matt Simon 63 minutes in, however Manos was again up to the task, denying the former Chunnam Dragons striker from inside the area.
And while Caceres forced another fine save from Manos in the 78th minute and Anthony Lazarou had an opportunity to restore parity for Bankstown with a header from a free kick late on, neither side could add to Sterjovski-s 33rd minute strike before the full-time whistle.
Bankstown City Lions 0
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Sterjovski 33-)
Jensen Park, Sefton
