Central Coast Mariners have drawn closer to staving off relegation in the NPL NSW Men’s competition, securing a crucial 3-0 victory over NWS Spirit in round 22 at Pluim Park.
The hosts took full advantage of a red card to Spirit’s Kyle Shaw on the half hour mark, running in three second half goals in spectacular fashion.
Both sides went narrowly close to opening the games’ account in the initial 10 minutes. Sasha Kuzevski ballooned his shot across the face of goal, before Spirit’s Ollie Wiggin’s skewed his attempt past the Mariners’ backline, shaving the right upright.
Drama struck on the half hour mark with David Perkovic to play the remaining hour down a man.
Referee Sam Kelly had no issues showing defender Kyle Shaw a straight red after deeming the foul to have denied an open chance at goal.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Nicholas Duarte sent the ball toward goal with a header, forcing goalkeeper Christopher Marques into a save on his line.
Central Coast looked the more likely to snatch the lead heading into the half with dazzling interplay, though came unstuck at the final hurdle to keep the 0-0 deadlock at the half.
The floodgates opened on the hour, with the Mariners cute interplay finally paying dividends.
Jordan Small sent Harry Menham on his bike across field, with the left back cutting it back to Nicholas Duarte to slice it home, before earning a well earnt rest for his efforts.
Doing well to fashion space around him, Bailey Brandtman took advantage of a defensive error, stopped short of a wonderful goal only by the chest of Marques.
Spirit’s Jayden Tran almost had the perfect start to his night, with his header just going over the bar from a free kick in the 73rd minute.
With the Mariners left edge gunning, it was only a matter of time before they supplied the next goal.
Taye Hedley was unchained down the sideline before Menham crossed into goal, with Donatien Niyonkuru’s strike rebounding into the knee of Arthur De Lima and into goal.
Some Brandtman brilliance brought Central Coast their third and the dagger in the 86th minute.
The forward attracted multiple defenders in the corner, before escaping the pressure and chipping through to the oncoming Menham to score, securing a 3-0 victory at home.
Back in the starting side after a gruelling recovery from an ACL injury, Mariner Sasha Kuzevski expressed his gratitude for the club’s support to return to the field, a guiding figure to his young side in tonight’s victory.
“It’s been a long journey for myself with the ups and downs, but I am super blessed and grateful for the club for helping me get back and leading this team”, said Kuzevski.
“It’s a young group, there’s loads of talent in these kids and I think just a little bit of guidance and leadership is going to bring more results like tonight.
“These boys deserve to stay in the league. Obviously young and inexperienced at this level, the quality is there, and with a massive game on Wednesday, it’s another opportunity to show how talented this young group is.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 3 (Duarte 60’, De Lima 78’, Menham 86’)
NWS Spirit FC 0
Saturday, 29th June 2024
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Owen Medcalf
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Central Coast Mariners: 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK), 3. Cher Deng, 4. Parker Williams, 5. Harry Menham, 6. Jordan Small, 9. Nicholas Duarte (37. Bailey Brandtman 60’), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (17. Jai Rose 79’), 12. Taye Hedley, 16. Prayaag Thapa (8. Lucas Scicluna 45’), 27. Sasha Kuzevski (C) (2. Michael Paragalli, 79’), 33. Arthur De Lima (14. Jacob Tresoglavic 90+3)
Unused Subs: 30. Daniel Vickers,
Yellow Cards: 37. Bailey Brandtman 73’
Red Cards:
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques (GK), 3. Kyle Shaw, 4. Jarred Mckinley (6. Corey Kavanagh 72’), 7. Richard Darko (21. Jayden Tran 72’), 11. Ollie Wiggin (34. Noah Peacock 83’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 17. Jacob Chidiac (29. Kyle Bennett, 83’), 18. Zachary Cianci (36. Kyah Williams 36’), 19. Jesse Michel, 20. Jared Lum (C), 22. Yannis Frerck
Unused Subs: 31. Joel Wade
Yellow Cards: 4. Jarred Mckinley 17’
Red Cards: 3. Kyle Shaw 30’
Player Ratings:
3: Sasha Kuzevski (CCM)
2: Arthur De Lima (CCM)
1: Harry Menham (CCM)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchroese on Instagram)