Mariners hit rock bottom as Hills climb further to safety
Hills United secured a vital 3 points on Saturday night at Landen Stadium after defeating the Central Coast Mariners 2-0 that condemned the visitors to bottom of the ladder.
After a forced week off due to the wet weather last weekend, the Mariners started off slow and were immediately put under pressure by United who knew how crucial 3 points would be in the race for survival.
Mariners held strong from United’s first two attempts on goal but were undone in the 9th minute at the third time of trying. Jack Warshawsky did not initially deal with a looping cross towards the back post put in by Jordan Lane in the Mariner’s goal. Warshawsky rose above the traffic inside the 18-yard box and partially punched the ball away for it to only fall into the path of Cameron Philp who drilled it into the net to give the the home side the early advantage.
The visitors were able to reset themselves after the goal and found plenty of joy down both wings though struggled to create clear-cut chances and find the goal to bring the two sides level.
United started the second half in similar fashion finding the back of the net and doubling their lead in the 50th minute.
The Marniers were trying to play out from the goal kick but a poor clearance from Warshawsky allowed United to win back possession. Yu Okubo picked up the loose ball and played a first-time ball in behind for the on-rushing Nicolai Muller who, with all his experience, placed it into the bottom left corner.
The game began to open up with both teams finding large pockets of space to attack into with the Mariners pushing to get back within one but United trying to put the game beyond doubt and secure the three points.
It was a quieter game for the NPL Men’s goalkeeper of the month Ryan Wood though United’s number 1 came up big in the 85th minute to deny any chance of a comeback from the traveling side. Wood’s vital one one-on-one save ensured that United would see out the game 2-0 victors.
“That was a really important win for us,” said Hills United Coach Luke Casserly.
“Our target second half of the season is to do better, improve on the first half, get more points. These were 3 points that we felt that we dropped in the first round. Really pleased for the boys cause they worked hard and got an important 3 points.”
Hills United now sit 10 points clear of the Mariners in 16th position and 7 points clear of Sydney FC who sit in the Relegation Play-off spot.
For the Mariners, they now sit in the relegation spot 5 points away from safety though for Central Coast Mariners Coach Lucas Vilela he believes his young side can turn things around.
“Wednesday we have a good game against the Wanderers and then Sydney FC, two wins there can change everything,” Vilela said.
“We’ve got to believe ’cause football can change like that, but I do believe in these boys.”
Match Stats
Hills United FC 2 (Cameron Philp 9′, Nicolai Muller 50’ )
Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Saturday 8th June, 2024
Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana and Molly Godsell
Fourth Official: Liam Smith
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 9. Yu Okubo (10. Jamal Belkadi 61’), 11. Anthony Frangie (20. Thomas Lopez 61’) (24. Sunday Yona 92’), 12. Jordan Lane, 13. Cameron Philp, 15. Noah Casserly, 19. Glen Kelshaw (7. Wade Giovenali 81’), 22. Bryon Ginn, 26. Thomas Makko, 27. Nicolai Muller (49. Kaya Akdeniz 81’)
Substitutes Not Used: 21. Emlyn Cross,
Yellow Cards: Thomas Makko 23’,
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Jack Warshawsky, 2. Michael Paragalli, 3. Cher Deng, 5. Harry Menham (31. Amponsah Antwi 57’) , 6. Jordan Small, 8. Lucas Scicluna, 9. Nicholas Duarte (33. Arthur De Lima 57’) , 10. Luka Smyth, 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (16. Prayaag Thapa 76’), 12. Taye Hedley (17. Ethan Debono 76’), 34. Parker Williams
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Andre Parks, 20. Jai Ajanovic,
Yellow Cards: Harry Menham 40’, Amponsah Antwi 60’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Thomas Makko (HU)
2 – Nicolai Muller (HU)
1 – Donatien Niyonkuru (CCM)
-By Keane McKenna
