Mariners defeat Bulls in six goal thriller
The Central Coast Mariners secured a high scoring 4-2 victory over the Bulls FC Academy in a highly entertaining clash at Pluim Park on Sunday.
Determined to continue their good form, the Mariners began the match on the front foot, creating a number of half-chances early through Olayinka Sunmola and Aydan Hammond.
The dominance of possession didn’t necessarily equate to goals on the scoreboard, and it was in fact Bulls FC who opened the scoring.
Bulls manager Zeljko Kalac made a tactical switch, asking winger Jesper Webber to run in behind the defence, as opposed to coming short to receive the ball. Minutes later in the 32nd minute that tactical alteration made the difference, as Rhys Youlley played a great ball in behind Zac Zoricich. Webber received the ball goal side and calmly placed the ball past young Socceroo Anthony Pavlesic.
The Bulls added a second just five minutes later through a pearler of a free kick, both won and converted by Ali Auglah.
Just as the Bulls felt they were beginning to stamp their authority on the game, the Mariners scored a goal of the season contender themselves through Aydan Hammond in the 41st minute.
The winger received a ball on the edge of the box from Lachlan Bayliss, before cutting inside and skipping his way past two Bulls defender, then finishing his effort with power and placement with his right foot into the top-right corner.
Not to be out-done, Jordan Segreto equalised in just as spectacular fashion in the 45th minute with a stunning free kick of his own, brilliantly placed into the same corner Hammond found just moments earlier.
It took until the 73rd minute for the first major chance of the second half, with Aydan Hammond scoring his second and the Mariners’ third with a climbing header. Lachlan Bayliss was once again the craftsman and delivered a perfect cross, with Hammond, just about the shortest player on the pitch, climbing the highest to convert the header.
The Mariners extended their lead just three minutes later through Lachlan Bayliss, with the midfielder pouncing on a loose ball inside the box to smash the ball home and secure another three points for the Mariners.
Post-match Mariners coach Abbas Saad stated he was never concerned about the match, despite going two goals down.
“We dominated the whole game and got ourselves two-down on transitional mistakes. I was never worried, though,” he said.
“The belief is strong. I said to them at half time that we just need to keep playing, keep believing, and keep driving forward.”
Two spectacular finishes saw the Mariners strike level, but there was more than just the stunning goals that impressed Saad.
“The goals themselves were smashing, but it’s the lead up and combination play that I loved. We want to play at a good tempo, and when we do, we’re very hard to beat.
“If we just keep believing in what we’re doing, we’ll be okay.”
Bulls manager Zeljko Kalac was left frustrated with the result, with the Bulls now dropping 14 points from winning positions this season.
“It sums up where we’re at. We’ve got a very young side compared to some of the other academies.
“We’re trying to develop players for the A-League and they’re learning the hard way – and that’s from losing matches from winning positions.
“I thought it was a good game of academy football, though. It was a very even match, but I thought Central Coast were the better team and deserved the win.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners Academy 4 (Hammond 41’ 73’, Segreto 45+1, L. Bayliss 76’)
Bulls FC Academy 2 (Webber 32’, Auglah 37’)
Sunday 28th May, 2023
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson, Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
Central Coast Mariners: 30. Anthony Pavlesic (GK), 4. Dean Larson, 5. Cameron Windust (c), 6. James Bayliss, 7. Aydan Hammond (18, George Daniel 77’), 8. Lachlan Bayliss, 9. Miguel Di Pizio (23. Aidan Milicevic 88’), 12. Olayinka Sunmola (14. Marco Arambasic 46’), 15. Jordan Segreto (21. Maksim Kasalovic 77’), 16. Will Arnold, 24. Zac Zoricich (11. Bailey Brandtman 90+4’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes (GK)
Yellow Cards: Segreto 21’, Daniel 90+2’
Red Cards: Nil
Bulls FC Academy: 30. Alexander Robinson (GK), 2. Anthony Krilic, 7. Ali Auglah, 13. Jordan Ivancic (8. Mason Wells 56’), 19. Jesper Webber (10. Ayman Gulasi 77’), 21. Lachlan MacDonald, 22. Edward Caspers (c) (14. Sunday Yona 82’), 23. Flynn Madden, 32. Isaac Hovar, 52. Rhys Youlley (11. Stephan De Robillard 77’), 53. Joel Bertolissio
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Griffin Barry (GK)
Yellow Cards: Webber 18’, Ivancic 25’, Hovar 64’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Aydan Hammond (CCM)
2 – Lachlan Bayliss (CCM)
1 – Jordan Segreto (CCM)
-By Cameron Smith
