Bayliss dominates for Mariners in 4-2 win over Spirit
The Central Coast Mariners have defeated NWS Spirit FC 4-2 thanks to four goal contributions from their midfield maestro Lachlan Bayliss at Pluim Park on Sunday.
It was a heated first half with three yellow cards and multiple heavy challenges flying in early that set the tone for what was a physical encounter.
An injury to Mariners midfielder James Bayliss in the 22nd minute halted a bit of momentum that the home side had managed to build. Bayliss was fouled just outside the penalty area and fell awkwardly on his arm, dislocating his shoulder in the process.
It looked as though that we were headed into the sheds level at half time, but a brilliant counterattack from the Mariners saw them take the lead in the 39th minute.
A clearing long ball was played forward towards Marco Arambasic, who took a touch and brought it down to the forward running Lachlan Bayliss. He rode a challenge before squaring the ball to the unmarked Aydan Hammond on the edge of the box, who placed it past the keeper into the bottom-left corner.
The sun settled and the temperature dropped during the half time break in Lisarow, but the action was just about to heat up on the field. The Mariners doubled their lead just four minutes into the second half, with Lachlan Bayliss once again the architect, bringing the ball down and playing it out wide to George Daniel. The winger cut back inside on his left and curled his shot around Spirit goalkeeper Jacob Madden perfectly.
Spirit managed to open their account just three minutes later through a goalkeeping mistake by the highly regarding Jack Warshawsky. The young keeper spilled a free kick from Luiz Lobo straight to the feet of Mitch Davison who tapped the ball home from only a yard out.
Lobo compounded Warshawsky’s troubles only five minutes later as the Mariners goalkeeper punched clear a cross to the edge of the box. It only went as far as Lobo, who fired his shot first time through the hands of Warshawsky to level the game for Spirit.
The young goalkeeper was called into action again shortly after and made a terrific save down to his left from a powerful low strike by Richard Darko.
Spirit continued to press forward in search of the go-ahead goal, winning a number of corners in quick succession and forcing the Mariners attack to halt.
As we approached the final 20 minutes of the match it looked as though Spirit were to be the team to take the lead. But, Mariners manager Abbas Saad is big on belief and resilience, and his Mariners side is full of it.
After creating the first two goals for his side, Lachie Bayliss finished the next two for the Mariners. His first came in the 72nd minute after the Mariners managed to hold some possession in their attacking third. Bayliss drifted to the edge of the box and lost his defender, curling the ball into the bottom-left corner perfectly with his second touch.
Bayliss’ second goal came a minute later after Hammond beat a couple of players and slipped in Bayliss who drove his shot into the bottom-left corner again to seal the 4-2 victory for the home side.
Speaking after full time, Spirit manager David Perkovic was disappointed by his team’s defending.
“I thought we were the better team in the first half, but went in behind at half time,” he said.
“We had a quick response and scored two goals which was very positive, then we were all over them and looked to be the team to win the game, but two very, very poor defensive moments allowed two goals.
“In my opinion, there wasn’t anything fantastic in them producing the goals, it was just very poor defending. Fantastic finishes, but it shouldn’t have gotten to that stage.
“Two goals away from home will usually get the win, but not today unfortunately.”
Looking ahead, Perkovic stated that he was looking forward to the transfer window opening on Wednesday to try and help the squad as they suffer from injuries.
Mariners manager Abbas Saad, meanwhile has fresh injury concerns of his own through midfielder James Bayliss.
“At the moment we believe it’s just a dislocation of his shoulder, but he was in a lot of pain, incredible pain,” Saad said.
“We send our wishes and love to him. We’re all behind him. I just hope he’s not out for the game for too long because Jimmy has been my best player all season.”
Speaking on the game, Saad said his side’s belief and resilience is what pleased him the most about today’s match.
“At 2-2, we could have dropped our head, but we kept believing and we kept attacking.
“We didn’t stop our press from the very first minute to the last. I’ve got a big smile on my face because I love that. These young guys have to be ready to play at the next level and they’re starting to believe.”
The victory sees the Central Coast Mariners move up into 8th position on the NPL NSW Men’s First Grade ladder, but Saad was not getting carried away with his goals.
“We’re here to survive,” he said.
“Every week we need to be consistent. I really think 38 to 40 points should be safe from relegation, and that’s our goal.
“We’re starting to make Pluim Park a fortress and that’s what we want. It’ll help us survive.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners Academy 4 (Hammond 39’, Daniel 49’, L. Bayliss 72’, 73’)
NWS Spirit FC 2 (Davidson 52’, Lobo 57’)
Sunday 18th June, 2023
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson, Gerrod Young
Fourth Official: Thomas Dale
Central Coast Mariners: 30. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 3. Cameron Windust (c), 4. Dean Larson, 6. James Bayliss (21. Maksim Kasalovic 22’), 7. Aydan Hammond, 8. Lachlan Bayliss, 14. Marco Arambasic (11. Bailey Brandtman 82’), 15. Jordan Segreto, 16. Will Arnold, 18. George Daniel (26. Max Middleby 68’), 24. Zac Zoricich
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes (GK), 2. Zack Waddell, 5. Andre Parkes
Yellow Cards: L. Bayliss 26’, Larson 33’, Arnold 55’, Saad 62’, Middleby 84’, Brandtman 90+2’
Red Cards: Nil
NWS Spirit FC: 12. Jacob Madden (GK), 2. Blake Ilitch, 3. Musashi Kukubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 5. Jordan Gomez, 7. Richard Darko, 9. Mitchell Davidson (11. Ollie Wiggin 74’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Kyle Shaw, 20. Jared Lum (c) (17. Matt Cahill 55’), 21. Luiz Lobo
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Chris Marques (GK), 18. Frederico Gagliano 73’, 26. Maisam Awaz
Yellow Cards: Gomez 37’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Lachlan Bayliss (CCM)
2 – Cameron Windust (CCM)
1 – Luiz Lobo (NWS)
-By Cameron Smith
