CENTRAL Coast Mariners Youth have returned to winning ways following a well-earned 3-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in the Round 7 National Youth League clash in Tuggerah on Sunday.
Former Mariner Kwabena Appiah-Kubi tussles with Central Coast talent Michael Neill. Image (c) John Dewberry / Central Coast Mariners
CENTRAL Coast Mariners Youth have returned to winning ways following a well-earned 3-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in the Round 7 National Youth League clash in Tuggerah on Sunday.
First half goals to Central Coast-s Hyundai A-League squad members Adam Kwasnik and Adriano Pellegrino combined with Patrick Dixon-s late left-foot stunner ensured the yellow and navy claimed their sixth win of the campaign.
Western Sydney started the match the brighter of the two sides and had a few chances to open the account.
Fifteen minutes in, former Newcastle Jet Tarek Elrich broke through the centre of the Mariners- defence, firing a low shot at goal but Bradasevic palmed the ball away to safety.
Only seven minutes later, Central Coast took the lead. After skipper Nikola Stanojevic-s shot was blocked away for a corner, Pellegrino delivered a dangerous ball into the box. Kwasnik leapt and made no mistake as he blasted a powerful header past ‘keeper Thomas Manos.
Pellegrino was back in the thick of the action shortly later as he doubled the advantage for John McLafferty-s men as he unleashed a stunning strike from outside the area, sneaking the ball into the net.
Defender Adam Jenner was looking to add another to the scoreboard for the yellow and navy just before with half-time break, he fired a powerful effort from 30 yards but his ambitious strike sailed over the woodwork.
Elrich was looking the man most likely to bring Trevor Morgan-s side back into the contest, however he couldn-t quite manage to apply the finishing touch to a number of half-chances after the interval.
The home side went down to ten men in the 81st minute as Brent Griffiths was shown a straight red for dangerous challenge in the penalty area.
Former Mariners forward Kwabena Appiah-Kubi had an opportunity to reduce the deficit for Western Sydney as the clock wound down. The pacey attacker made a good run into the box, but unfortunately for the visitors, Appiah-Kubi couldn-t guide the ball past Bradasevic.
Former Australian Institute of Sport scholar Dixon rounded out the scoring for the home side with just four minutes remaining as he sent substitute gloveman Aaron Liddell scrambling after an impressive left-foot strike from the edge of area.
Post match, Mariners NYL Head Coach John McLafferty said he was pleased with his side-s performance.
“It was a good win today. Three goals and obviously not losing any was important as well,” he said.
“We had a game plan today to go out and try to get some shots on target, which we haven-t really been doing as much as winning games, we-ve been getting into some good positions and not shooting. Today we got three goals from it.”
McLafferty also praised midfielder Jordan Crighton for his efforts.
“There-s a lot of improvement in the side, it-s about getting people on the field and giving them enough game time. Jordan Crighton came in today and played for an hour and made a good impression. He should be knocking on the door for next week. So development is just as important as getting three points here,” McLafferty concluded.
Central Coast Mariners Youth play their next NYL match away at Hunter Stadium on Saturday 8 December against Newcastle Jets Youth. Kick-off is 5pm.
Central Coast Mariners Youth 3 (Kwasnik 23′, Pellegrino 30′, Dixon 86′)
Western Sydney Wanderers Youth 0
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1. David Bradasevic (Gk), 2. Nikola Stanojevic (c), 3. Michael Neill, 5. Hayden Morton, 7. Adam Jenner, 8. Adriano Pellegrino (6. Daniel Bragg 45-), 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 17. Anthony Caceres, 18. Adam Kwasnik (14. Jordan Crighton 35-), 19. Mitchell Duke (12. Patrick Dixon 45-)
Substitutes not used: 20. Daniel Sadaka (Gk)
Western Sydney Wanderers Youth: 2. Brian Jamba (9. Alistair Quinn 52-), 3. Jacob Williams, 4. Stepjan Paric, 5. Jayden Koulizakis, 6. Jake McGing (15. James Baldacchino 60-), 7. Nicholas Olsen (13. Mark Cindric 58-), 8. Yianni Perkatis, 10. Daniel Barac, 11. Tarek Elrich, 14. Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, 20. Thomas Manos (Gk) (1. Aaron Lidell (Gk) 68-)
Substitutes not used: Nil
