Despite scoring a double against his former team Melbourne Victory, Mariners’ attacker Connor Pain says he’d trade both goals in just to have Antony Golec finish the season fit.
Speaking to media ahead of his side’s Saturday night clash against ladder-leading Sydney FC, Pain wished Antony Golec all the best on behalf of his teammates.
Golec sustained a fractured tibial plateau in the Mariners’ last outing against Melbourne Victory and Pain says the team will use it as motivation to claim points in the name of Golec.
"I'd trade those two goals to see Antony not go down."
Painy says the Mariners are motivated to get a result for Lord Golec this Saturday night against @SydneyFC! #CCMvSYD #CCMFC pic.twitter.com/UyrY6g6DLa
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 22, 2018
“You would trade those two goals in to see Antony Golec not go down with that injury,” Pain said. “We’re disappointed and really upset that it happened to him but now we want to band together and do it for him this weekend.
“The boys wish Antony all the best, you never want to see anyone go down like that. I also received some messages from the guys I know at Melbourne Victory wishing him all the best.
“We’ve heard the surgery has gone well and we just want him to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible,” Pain said.
Two training sessions into the caretaking period of Wayne O’Sullivan, Pain says the side are focused on their preparation and disruption has been minimal leading into Saturday’s home game.
Sully has named his provisional squad to face Sydney at home this Saturday.
Ins & Outs: https://t.co/OTiOiTnFjr #CCMvSYD #CCMFC pic.twitter.com/RWTBtGHHfA
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 22, 2018
“Obviously we’re all professionals and most of us here have been through this before,” Pain said. “Sully will take the team for the remainder of the season and all the boys have given him everything in training today and yesterday so we can prepare as well as we can for the Sydney game.
“We need to move on quickly, band together for the sake of the club and the sake of each other.
“It’s quite easy to regroup to be honest – we have to get on with it. We prepare the same way as we always do, give it our all on Saturday and push for a positive result,” Pain said.
Sunday evening marked Connor Pain’s first start since January due to a hamstring injury. ‘Painy’ announced the end of his road to recovery by firing two goals past a good friend of his.
The 24-year-old attacker said that the focus now is finishing the final four games of the season as strongly as possible.
Painy completed his road to recovery with a brace in hist first start since January!
? @FOXFOOTBALL #CCMFC #MVCvCCM pic.twitter.com/o26lUgUWqI
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) March 18, 2018
“[the two goals Pain scored] Obviously they were two minor consolations but it’s nice to score past Lawrence Thomas, my good mate,” Pain said. “We just need to keep going – to try and win all of our games. We need to keep working hard, Sully has got the boys working hard. He’s a good task master and he knows what he’s doing so we want to put on a good show for him.
Pain said the support of the home fans on Saturday night is crucial.
“We absolutely need our fans more than ever,” Pain said. “They are massive for us, every time they show up in force, especially against these other NSW teams who come in numbers. Hopefully we can get a fair few there to support us because we need them at this point,” Pain said.
Match Details
Saturday , 24 March 2018
Hyundai A-League Round 24
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Sydney FC
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:35pm (AEDT)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA 501
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #CCMvSYD & #CCMFC
