Mariners rule the ‘Palace’ with vital victory
The hungry Central Coast Mariners put table standings aside as they took a massive leap in its fight to beat relegation defeating NPL Men’s NSW Premiership contenders Marconi Stallions in a round 26 rescheduled fixture at Marconi Stadium on Wednesday evening.
After defeating rivals APIA Leichhardt FC on the weekend to heap pressure on current table toppers NWS Spirit FC, you’d have thought the Stallions, blessed with some of the best players in NSW, would prove too strong for the youthful Mariners – this wasn’t the case as the kids from the Coast battled well and scored an incisive goal that’s kept them amongst a chasing pack of teams fighting to stay alive in the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another season.
A converted penalty to Central Coast’s Muginga Mpota in the 50th minute was unanswered by the Stallions, seeing the Mariners secure a valuable three points as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.
Marconi built momentum early, creating their first chance in just the second minute of the match as Dom Costanzo blazed forward, however he ran the ball over the line and out of play.
The hosts came agonizingly close in the 5th minute as Costanzo again flew forward to create an opportunity.
He sent the ball to Franco Maya in the area who headed it towards the target, but Mariners custodian Joel Wade was able to block the path of the shot.
The rebound bounded up into the air and Michael Paragali managed a crucial clearance off the line.
Jake Trew had an opportunity in the 14th minute but rocketed his shot high over the goal.
A free kick in the 20th minute gave the Stallions yet another chance, but his shot took a touch, earning the hosts a corner.
The visitors had a promising opportunity in the 36th minute as they attacked with pace.
Jai Rose sent a ball into the area for Mpota, but he couldn’t reach it as Tyren Burnie defended well.
The Mariners started the second stanza with a chance, earning a free kick in the 46th minute but Marconi ‘keeper James Hilton comfortably collected the shot.
The visitors were hunting for a goal in the 49th minute when Mpota was brought down inside the area by Maya.
Mpota stepped up to the spot and fired his shot into the bottom right corner of the goal to open the scoring as Hilton dove to the left.
Burnie sent an impressive strike towards the target in the 68th minute, but it took a deflection, earning the hosts a corner.
Marconi substitute Jordan Swibel managed to dive to get on the end of the corner but couldn’t salvage a threat from it.
Marconi continued to mount pressure, coming close in the 85th minute as Costanzo sent a brilliant ball to the head of James Bayliss, but Wade was able to confidently collect.
Despite continued efforts, the hosts couldn’t get themselves on the scoreboard, leaving the Mariners with three points as the match came to a close.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Mpota 50’)
Marconi Stallions FC 0
Wednesday 13th August 2025
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Central Coast Mariners FC: 3. Michael Paragalli, 11. Jai Rose (9. Ahmed Elhelou 90’), 12. Ty McKibbin (6. Jordan Small 58’), 19. Noah Peacock (14. Angus Reid 71’), 21. Muginga Mpota (26. Flynn Richards 58’), 22. Shumba Mutokoyi, 23. Laurence Taylor, 24. Kye Schumacher (13. Logan Sambrook 71’), 35. Max Miller, 38. Harrison Jablonski, 40. Joel Wade
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jai Ajanovic,
Yellow Cards: Taylor 63’, Richards 91’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 6. Dom Costanzo, 7. Franco Maya ( 24. Matej Busek 71’), 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic (9. Kyle Cimenti 71’), 12. Julian Monge (10. Liam Youlley 71’), 13. Tass Mourdoukoutas, 14. Jake Trew (99. Jordan Swibel 66’), 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Patrick Williams, 35. Sebastian Kiccec
Yellow Cards: Mourdoukoutas 80’, Youlley 86’, Daniel 91’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Michael Paragli (CCM)
2 – Joel Wade (CCM)
1 – James Bayliss (MS)
