Mariners strike dagger blow to Sharks with morale boosting victory
After six weeks on the road, the Central Coast Mariners have returned home to Pluim Park in fine fashion with a 3-2 victory over Sutherland Sharks FC on Sunday evening easing the club’s relegation woes for the time being beating another fellow struggling outfit.
A first half brace from leading goal scorer Luka Smyth was backed by his skipper Lucas Scicluna early in the second half, as both sides came to blows which saw a straight red card in this round 12 fixture of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Sutherland’s Mason Fernandez catapulted the visitors to an early lead in the sixth minute. The centre forward deflected a pass from Lucas Scicluna, before breaking free and finishing inside the box.
The number 10 came close to adding a second minutes later, though his attempt was snuffed by opposition goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky.
The Sharks continued to send warning shots to their opposition, though Central Coast’s resilience rewarded them the equaliser in the 29th minute through their dynamic duo.
A perfectly weighted ball in-behind from Bailey Brandtman put Luka Smyth one-on-one with experienced goalkeeper Nenad Vekic, with Smyth slotting home his eighth of the season.
Pace to burn on the right edge, Donatien Niyonkuru’s lightning acceleration brought the ball into the box where he drew a foul and gave Smyth the chance to extend the lead into half time.
In his way was the experienced Vekic, standing tall and proud and with a few choice words for the striker, before going to his left and halting the go-ahead score.
The save set the tone for Sutherland’s next counterpunch, with Jay Mcgowan crossing the ball behind two sliding Mariner’s defenders for Maxx Green to restore their one goal advantage in the 43rd minute.
Finding themselves behind once more, it was Niyonkuru again to spark life back into the hosts.
The youngster punched a through ball to an open Smyth to shake off any uneasiness and secure a 2-2 score line heading into the half.
The Mariners finally took the lead inside the first ten minutes out of the half through their captain Lucas Scicluna.
The skipper was delighted to open space created from a clinical Brandtman pass, making no mistake to take a 3-2 advantage.
Niyonkuru and Smyth combined once more to create yet another scoring chance, though the flying number 10 was caught by a stray leg from Vekic.
Vekic was given a straight red with no hesitation from referee Kyle Davies, sending Sutherland down to 10 for the remaining half hour of play.
Both sides created multiple chances down the stretch, with Sutherland looking to equalise while Central Coast were in search of icing the game.
Referee Davies certainly had his work cut out for him to keep control of the game as tensions continued to escalate, doing extremely well in containing the blows and keeping the match flowing.
Brandtman came close to providing the match securing assist in the 90th minute, though the ball could not find one of the three Mariners attackers in the box.
The sole second half goal from Scicluna proved the difference, Central Coast holding on to a late Sharks surge for their second win of the season, a 3-2 victory at home.
Speaking post-game, Mariners coach Lucas Vilela highlighted his sides’ growth in creating and executing chances, as well as the player’s increasing connection and competitiveness.
“It’s good to be back in the winner’s circle, but again we don’t just look at results because I believe we have had a lot of wins during this season,” mentioned Vilela.
“The boys are growing and maturing and the chances we are creating shows the boys are becoming more connected and understanding of each other.”
“The boys trust me as much as I trust them, and I am so proud.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Smyth 29’, 45’, Scicluna 56’)
Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (Fernandez 6’, Green 43’)
Saturday 28th April 2024
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Kyle Davies
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 4. Andre Parkes, 5. Harry Menham, 8. Lucas Scicluna (C), 10. Luka Smyth (9. Nicholas Duarte, 74’), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (6. Jordan Small 74’, 12. Taye Hedley (39. Adam Hall 60’), 16. Prayaag Thapa (3. Cher Deng 88’), 22. Rocco Smith (2. Michael Paragalli 45’), 34. Parker Williams, 37. Bailey Brandtman
Unused Subs: 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Yellow Cards: Parker Williams 21’, Bailey Brandtman 60’, Nicholas Duarte 74’, Jordan Small 79’
Red Cards:
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Kotaro Katsuta, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis (C), 5. Takahide Umebachi, 6. Samuel Guilsano (99. Dean Plessas 62’), 9. Maxx Green (77. Levi Sciuriaga 62, 10. Mason Fernandez, 11. Jay Mcgowan (3. Jordan Roberts 62’), 14. Chris Lindsay, 15. Matthew Moric (27. Matthew Jackson 69’), 91. Jonty Busch (22. Jordan Graoroski 82’)
Unused Subs: 23. Ethan Beaven
Yellow Cards: Mitchell Stamatellis 74’
Red Cards: Nenad Vekic 59’
Player Ratings:
3: Luka Smyth (CCM)
2: Donatien Niyonkuru (CCM)
1: Mason Fernandez (SUT)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchellroese)
