Fabulous five at Pluim Park

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It was sweet, sweet victory for Central Coast Mariners as they came from behind to secure their first victory of the 2024 National Premier League NSW Men’s season, capturing a 5-3 win at home against Hills United FC on Sunday afternoon.

The home side were able to abolish a 2-1 half time deficit, scoring four in the second as they deterred a late fightback from the visitors to claim three points.

Miscommunication from Hills United’s backline nearly handed the hosts the opener, with Mariners’ Luka Smyth’s volley narrowly deflected away by United’s skipper Glen Kelshaw.

The visitors however were quick to turn around any unsteadiness. Sunday Yona was given great space down the right edge before he found Anthony Frangie in the middle to rocket it home for the lead.

Again, it was Smyth to ignite a spark in the hosts. He again had another chance from range to equalise, though his strike pounded off the crossbar.

Central Coast took full advantage of a corner kick. Lucas Scicluna put in a lofty ball into the box which rebounded to a vacant Bailey Brandtman for the equaliser in his first match back from A-League duties.

Momentum looked to swing in favour of Lucas Vilela’s side with some great attacking phases. However, it was quickly sucked away after a loose Mariners error from a foul found Caleb Jackson-Brown at the edge-of-the-box to finish late in the half.

The hosts could thank goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen they didn’t fall further ahead on the stroke of half-time. The 17-year-old used his well-over six-foot frame to produce two incredible saves, none more so than from a rocketing half volley inside the box from Yu Okubo.

Akin to the first, Mariners pressured Hills’ backline which paid dividends early. Brandtman’s elusiveness kept the defenders on their toes before he laid it off to Matej Busek just outside the box to equalise.

Needing something to spark the game back into life, Mariner Donatien Niyonkuru recovered after losing the ball to draw a foul inside the penalty spot. Luke Smyth converting the spot kick to go ahead for the first time this season.

And before you knew it the Mariners went two goals ahead as loose play at the back from Hills cost them dearly as Taye Hedley scooped it up and made them pay.

Suddenly it was game on as the crowd was shocked into suspense as Yu Okubo brought it back to a goal difference before he agonisingly pushed the next chance wide.

Awarded a free kick close to goal, Brandtman and Smyth combined to catch Hills lacking for Smyth to grab his second and secure Central Coast’s first victory of the season.

Despite having fallen behind early in all three matches this season, Central Coast Mariners head coach Lucas Vilela was proud of the resilience his young squad has shown throughout.

“The boys deserve it with the work they put in despite not getting the results in the last games. We know we’re going to make mistakes but if the boys can continue to trust their teammates, then the results will come as it did today,” said Vilela.

Vilela also commented on the impact youngster Bailey Brandtman has within his side, his talents and experience at A-League level certainly not going to waste.

“You can just see the impact he has on the field and in the change rooms, always bringing a positive attitude and playing a hand in scoring goals or assisting.”

“I’m lucky to have a player like him and I believe he will have a great career.”

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners FC. 5 (Brandtman 31’, Busek 53’, Smyth 70’, Hedley 75’, Luka Smyth 90+3’)

Hills United FC 3 (Frangie ’12, Jackson-Brown 36’, Okubo 90’)

Sunday 3rd March 2023

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Danny Horstead

Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath & Thomas Bury

Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher

Central Coast Mariners: 2. Michael Paragilli, 3. Cher Dong, 4. Andre Parkes (33. Alexander Gountounas 46’) 7. Matej Busek (13. Yani Nassis 60’), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 10. Luka Smyth, 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (9. Jordan Small 83’), 16. Prayaag Thapa (12. Taye Hedley ’41), 25. Ben Mewett (15. Amponsah Antwi 60’), 27. Bailey Brandtman, 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)

Unused Subs: 30. Daniel Vickers

Yellow Cards: 27. Brandtman 64’

Red Cards:

Hills United 58: 1. Ryan Wood (GK), 4. Brian Jamba, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 6. Isaac Hovar (2. Rainer Smahel 76’, 8. Eoin Montford, 9. Yu Okubo, 11. Anthony Frangie (18. Mitchell Smith 59’), 17. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 19. Glen Kelshaw, 24. Sunday Yona (Jamal Belkadi 60’), 26. Thomas Mako (20. Thomas Lopez 60’)

Unused Subs: 12. Jordan Lane, 31. William Loucas

Yellow Cards: 8. Monford 45’, Frangie 45+3’, Kelshaw 77’

Red Cards:

Player Ratings:

By Mitchell Roese (@mitchellroese)