His workload at the front of the Mariners attack has never been questioned, and Matt Simon’s goal-scoring feats in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season are so far matching his effort.
His workload at the front of the Mariners attack has never been questioned, and Matt Simon-s goal-scoring feats in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season are so far matching his effort.
The lanky striker has already found the back of the net five times this campaign, including two in the last two matches. That tally puts him just one behind the league-s leading goalscorers, and just two less than he managed all last season.
“It-s going along nicely but obviously every striker would like a few more goals on the list,” said Simon.
“I-m happy with how I-m playing at the moment and how the team is going so hopefully we can keep performing well as a team and we can stay around the top of the table as the season goes on.”
The Mariners head into Sunday-s clash at the tail end of what has been a massive fortnight, which has seen the side traverse two countries to play five matches in 15 days.
“We want to get back on winning terms, especially at home.
“It was disappointing to lose against Gold Coast in front of a home crowd seeing as we hadn-t been home for seven weeks and it was a good performance on Wednesday night. It was devastating to lose (the three points) in the last couple of minutes,” Simon said.
But Simon knows the schedule isn-t about to get any easier, as the yellow and Navy face off against competition frontrunner Brisbane at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“They are the benchmark this year and are a long way ahead of us, but we have a couple of games in hand so we need to win this one.
“It-s going to be massive for us at home against them. We didn-t play too well against them first up at Suncorp, but we-re a much better team since them so it should be a cracking game,” said Simon.
Almost 10,000 Members and supporters were on hand to welcome the Mariners back to Bluetongue last Sunday against the Gold Coast after a seven week hiatus because of turf re-surfacing, and Simon, a local junior, hopes to see the five-figure mark smashed for a Sunday afternoon first versus fourth blockbuster.
“It was awesome to see the crowd back on Sunday against the Gold Coast and hopefully all the Members and supporters can come to the game on Sunday and we can put a good show on for them, and get a win for them,” Simon said.
The Wyoming and East Gosford junior also had a special message for local players with access to their very own EnergyAustralia Junior Football Membership.
“It-s awesome that the club has been able to provide 8,000 memberships for the young kids and hopefully it-s a good incentive for them to keep playing football.
“When I was a young kid if I got a pass like that I would have been buzzing, so hopefully all the kids bring their parents to the game which will get more people, and they enjoy the game on Sunday,” Simon said.
The Central Coast Mariners next match of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season will be against Brisbane Roar at Bluetongue Stadium this Sunday, 28 November. Kick-off is at 4:00pm ADST and tickets are available by CLICKING HERE or by phoning 132 849.
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 18): Central Coast Mariners wins 3, Brisbane Roar wins 9 (6 draws)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).
*two to be omitted*
In: Nik MRDJA (promoted), Rostyn GRIFFITHS (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Pedj BOJIC (hamstring – 3 weeks), Patricio PEREZ (hip – indefinite), Brad PORTER (knee – 9 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season)
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*two to be omitted*
In: Rocky VISCONTE (promoted), Luke BRATTAN (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: HENRIQUE (broken arm – indefinite), Shane STEFANUTTO (hamstring 4-6 weeks)
Referee: Ryan SHEPHEARD
