The men and women’s academy teams face crucial clashes this weekend in the PS4 NPL 2 where the Central Coast Mariners Academy face up against the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy whilst the women are at home to Nepean FC.
Western Sydney Wanderers Academy vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
The men sit in third place on the PS4 NPL 2 ladder and come up against the sixth placed Western Sydney Wanderers in an all A-League battle away from home.
Our under 18’s will face an undefeated Wanderers side on Saturday and will be determined to bring that run to an end. Currently sitting in fourth spot, our Under 18’s take on a second placed Wanderers side who they trail by just two points and could leapfrog on the ladder with a win. The Under 20’s Mariners Academy side remain on top of the table and will be facing a struggling Wanderers side who are currently sitting in 10th place. They will be looking to add to their recent goal scoring form and are focused on bringing home the three points to continue their high-flying start to the season.
Our first-grade men remain undefeated and will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating two all draw with Parramatta FC which saw Emmanuel Peters sent off early in the second half. Goals to Vinci & Peters were enough for the 10-man-Mariners to claim a brave point.
We caught up with Will Vazquez who reflected on last week’s match and spoke about what the Mariners need to do, to claim three points.
“Last weekend was another example of the variety of challenges that happen within a football match, so we view this as learning opportunities,” Vazquez said. “Ultimately the players must learn how to achieve the same outcome we are after each week, regardless of what the opponent and match throws our way, and this is the experience they require to improve.
“Whilst we were disappointed as a group to not get the win on Sunday, there was some good fight to almost snatch it at the end. This week we face Western Sydney, who are a very good side and from whom we expect a great battle. Our aim as a group will be to take the things we’ve learnt from the past few weeks and put it together to get the three points,” Vazquez said.
Match Details
Saturday, 21 April 2018
PS4 NPL 2 Round 8
Match: Western Sydney Wanderers Academy vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
Venue: Sydney United Sports Centre
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Central Coast Mariners Academy Women vs. Nepean FC Women
After a promising start to the season, the Mariners Women will be looking to bounce back from a loss last week to the table topping Sydney Olympic. They host Nepean FC at Pluim Park – kick-off is 3pm and entry is FREE!
Dan Barrett’s side are undefeated at home which is a run of form he is keen to keep alive this weekend.
“I was extremely disappointed with the effort last weekend,” Barrett said. “The initial signs were good in the early stages but we dropped our heads after conceding the first goal.
“This weekend it’s about getting back to the standards that I set the team since my appointment. We must get back to playing our structures both with and without the ball and our never say die attitude must return.
“Nepean will be like us hungry, for the three points which will more than likely result in the winning team embedding themselves in the top four.
“It would be great to see the continued support we have had at our home games this season. The support has helped us remain unbeaten on the Coast thus far. We want to of course continue this run,” Barrett said.
Match Details
Sunday, 22 April 2018
PS4 NPL 2 Round 7
Match: Central Coast Mariners Academy vs. Nepean FC
Venue: Pluim Park, Lisarow
Kick-off: 3:00pm
