The Central Coast Mariners’ National Youth League (NYL) side was yesterday defeated 3-0 by the Queensland Roar in their Round 16 NYL clash at Bluetongue Stadium.
The Central Coast Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) side was yesterday defeated 3-0 by the Queensland Roar in their Round 16 NYL clash at Bluetongue Stadium.
Roar striker and Hyundai A-League squad member Tim Smits was the unquestioned standout performer for the visitors – netting all three goals that ensured the lanky marksman would walk away with all three points and also the match ball for his efforts.
Buoyed by the inclusion of experienced Hyundai A-League duo Greg Owens and Paul O-Grady, the Mariners attacked with purpose and flair in the opening stanza.
However, these segments of endeavour and football quality were ultimately not enough for the home side, who were outplayed for the remainder of the match by a skillful Roar attacking line-up that were worthy winners on the day.
The hosts had some solid chances in the first half, beginning with recent signing Daniel Taylor, who made an incisive run into the box that was foiled by an awkward bounce of the ball.
Smits netted the first of his three goals just minutes later when capitalising on a defensive lapse and duly drilling the ball past Mariners custodian Andrew Redmayne and into the top right rand corner.
Homegrown talent Brady Smith had a chance to draw the Mariners level shortly before half time, only for his volley to brush the wrong side of the crossbar.
Smits scored his second midway through the second term before rounding off his hat-trick shortly before full-time.
“It was a disappointing performance today as we seemed to be completely overpowered in challenges,” said Mariners Youth Development Co-ordinator Damien Brown after the match.
“Full credit to Queensland they played a strong physical game out there today.
“We competed well but seemed to go into our shell in the second half.”
The Mariners- National Youth League campaign continues on Saturday, 17 January with a visit to Epping Soccer Stadium to face the Melbourne Victory. Kick off is at 4pm.
The Mariners young guns are next on the Central Coast on Sunday, 25 January when they host Adelaide United in a curtain raiser fixture ahead of the club-s final Hyundai A-League regular season clash. Kick off is at 4pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk) (1. Matthew Nemes (gk) 60-), 2. Stephen Tibbetts, 7. Matthew Lewis, 8. Nick Kapsis (16. Tim McGowan 54-), 9. Brady Smith, 10. Glen Trifiro (17. Sean Mitchell 60-), 12. Scott Wright, 13. Laurence Braude, 14. Greg Owens, 15. Paul O-Grady, 21. Daniel Taylor (6. Ashley Balcomb 60-)
Yellow Cards Owens 72-, Wright 88-
Red Cards None
GoalsNone
Queensland Roar 1. Matthew Acton (gk), 2. Michael Ryan (14. Isaka Cernak 46-), 3. Matt Mundy, 4. Robbie Kruse, 6. William Tumusiime, 7. Adam Sarota, 8. Michael Angus (5. Brad McDonald 60-), 9. Tim Smits, 10. Luke Bratten, 11. Joshua McVey, (13. Jordan Farina 60-), 12. Ben Griffin
Yellow Cards Ryan 22-, Mundy 76-
Red Cards None
Goals Smits 25-, 68-, 86-
Referee Stuart Wolfe
