The Central Coast Mariners NYL side were ultimately unsuccessful in their return to home territory against the Perth Glory and are looking for a quick return to form when they take on the table-topping Gold Coast United this weekend.
The Central Coast Mariners NYL side were ultimately unsuccessful in their return to home territory against the Perth Glory and are looking for a quick return to form when they take on the table-topping Gold Coast United this weekend.
Having recorded some terrific results during a marathon six-week stretch on the road the Young Mariners were full of confidence in returning home to friendly territory. They started the match brightly and indeed were the better side for the majority of the game but Perth were the team who left the Central Coast with the three points in hand.
Defender Nathan Sherlock felt the team had let slip a golden opportunity to pick up the points against Perth.
“We-re obviously very disappointed with the result. I think we dominated for a large chunk of the game on the weekend.
“We really haven-t started off to many games that well this season but against Perth I thought we really came out firing. We didn-t capitalise on the possession that we had early in the game and Perth came back at us,” Sherlock said.
As the National Youth League moves into the summer months the players are bracing themselves for more scorching conditions such as those witnessed as Pluim Park last Saturday.
“We-ve been playing in extremely hot conditions lately where the guys are doing a lot of running but at the same time the conditions are the same for both sides. Whoever handles the heat and the ball better will finish on top in games in those types of conditions.
“We just need to go into these games prepared and do the right things such as hydrating completely, sleeping properly and eating well. All those little things play a big part in the outcome of a game,” Sherlock said.
The Young Mariners will be facing a Gold Coast side that is top of the table and full of confidence after thrashing Melbourne in Melbourne 5-nil last weekend.
Gold Coast United have turned the Southport venue into something of a fortress with the team from north of the Tweed having not lost a match at their home ground.
It-s a streak that the Young Mariners will be hoping to end this Sunday afternoon especially after having just salvaged a draw in the dying minutes the last time the two sides met.
“I-m looking forward to the game. Last time we played them I was still injured so I had to watch it from the stands. Gold Coast deserves to be on top of the table they-re playing some great football at the moment.
“They-ve had some overage players drop down for them such as Andrew Barisic who has been playing well for them and scoring a couple of goals so from my point of view I-d like to come up against him and see how I go. Any game is an important game for us and we-d like to build up some form,” Sherlock said.
The Young Mariners are confident that they have addressed the issues, which plagued them in the game against Perth and are looking forward to what should be an entertaining and open encounter on the weekend.
“We worked hard on Monday at training and for the rest of the week we will discuss the areas we need to improve and go from there.
“Last time we salvaged a draw against Gold Coast at home so the boys are definitely going to be up for it,” Sherlock said.
Sunday-s clash with Gold Coast will be the second meeting between the two clubs with both sides chasing the honours of a breakthrough victory over their opponents.
Previous Meetings
Sat 19 Sep 2009 – Central Coast Mariners 3 Gold Coast United 3, Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Gold Coast United Youth squad: Jerrad TYSON (gk), Mitchell BEVAN, Koh SATAKE, Joshua BRILLANTE, Ben HALLORAN, Neko VUJEVICH, Steven TOPALOVIC, Chris HAROLD, Ramone CLOSE, Ben WEARING, Steven LUSTICA, Zac ANDERSON, Tim ANDERSON (gk)
*two to be added*
Unavailable: Ben HARRISON (ankle injury – 4 weeks), Callum HARE (influenza – 1 week), Reuban WAY (knee injury – 6 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners squad: Nik MATIC (GK), Matthew RYAN (GK), Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), Shane HUKE (OA), David D’APUZZO, Matthew LEWIS, Panny NIKAS (C), Nathan SHERLOCK, Brady SMITH, Gavin FORBES, Nick FITZGERALD, Jerry KALOURIS, Adam ORMSBY, Luka DUKIC, Mitchell MALLIA, Brendan GRIFFIN, Manny GIANNAROS, David GULLO, Graz TRIMBOLI
*two to be omitted*
Unavailable: Matthew LIDDALL (back – 1 week)
Referee: Alan Milliner
The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League team is in action this Sunday, 6 December, when they take on Gold Coast United FC at Southport Tigers, Southport, Queensland. Kickoff is at 3:00pm AEST.
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