The Central Coast Mariners Youth were defeated by the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth 2-0 at Tuggerah. After conceding two goals in the first half, the Mariners Youth played at a much higher tempo in the second with the standout player being Dylan Ruiz-Diaz.
Another highlight for Mariners fans was: Jonathan Aspropotamitis securing 90 minutes of football for the first time since he ruptured his ACL in February.
In the first half both sides struggled to find a chance in the final third. But in the ninth minute it was the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth who took the lead with the first chance of the game after Oliver Puflett’s looping header found the back of the net.
The Wanderers Youth continued with the momentum and the front three for the Mariners could not find a way through the Wanderers’ backline. Despite pressure from the Wanderers, the defensive line of Lewis Miller and Aspropotamitis held firm, denying the Wanderers’ front third any clear-cut chances.
The pressure finally paid off for the Wanderers Youth again as Fabian Monge dribbled his way through the Mariners defence and drilled his shot pass Munford. The Mariners Youth were able to create a few chances of their own but were not able to test Suman in goals before the half ended.
The Mariners Youth came out with serious attacking intent for the second half and restricted the Wanderers Youth to limited time on the ball. Attacker Dylan Ruiz-Diaz came close to scoring for the Yellow and Navy against his former club, but his shot was narrowly wide. He would follow this up with a stunning shot that smashed against the crossbar.
The momentum was all with the Mariners Youth to finish the game off, but the home team could not beat Suman and the Wanderers’ defence. Despite the much improved second half, the Mariners Youth were unable to capitalise, and the Wanderers Youth took home all three points.
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1. Aidan MUNFORD (GK), 2. Quentin CHENG (11. Rhett DE SILVA 64’), 3. Lewis MILLER, 4. Michael GLASSOCK (c), 5. Matthew HATCH, 6. Joshua NISBET, 7. Emmanuel PETERS (17. Michael KATSOULIS 75’), 10. Charles M’MOMBWA, 14. Alec VINCI (19. Daniel HALL 69’), 15. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 18. Dyaln RUIZ-DIAZ
Substitutes not used: 20. Kyle JOHNSON
Western Sydney Wanderers Youth: 1. Nicholas SUMAN (c) (GK), 2. Tate RUSSEL, 3. Mathieu CORDIER, 4. Thomas AQUILINA, 6. Fabian MONGE, 7. Manyiel Riel MAJOK, 8. Marc TOKICH, 9. Lachlan SCOTT (17. Oliver WIGGIN 69’), 12. Oliver PUFLETT (10. Marley PETERSON 64’), 15. Andrea AGAMEMNONOS (13. Adrian VALENTI 83’), 16. Daniel WILMERING
Substitutes not used: 18. Elliot CARWARDINE (GK)
Saturday, 17 November 2018
Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah
Central Coast Mariners Youth vs. Western Sydney Wanderers Youth
