Central Coast got its National Youth League season up and running with an impressive win against the Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
Goals in each half to Matthew Lewis and Mariners A-League regular Adam Kwasnik fired the Mariners to a 2-0 win at Budgewoi Soccer Club on the Central Coast.
The win was a huge relief to Mariners coach Tony Walmsley, who has seen his side record two losses so far this year.
The Mariners dominated much of the first half, creating several good chances. Kwasnik was in the thick of the action and could have had two goals in the first period.
Mitchell Mallia was also dangerous and had a great chance to open the scoring in the 36th minute. Within a minute of that shot Central Coast was in front when Lewis was right on the spot to slot home after the Victory defence failed to clear.
The Mariners could have gone two goals clear four minutes into the second when Kwasnik again shot just wide.
Melbourne then worked its way into the contest, creating some good chances. But a mixture of poor finishing and resolute defence saw the score remain unchanged.
The Mariners should have had a second goal in the 74th minute but Nicholas Fitzgerald had a penalty saved after he was fouled in the box.
Melbourne-s Tedros Yabio nearly equalised in the 82nd minute but his shot was saved by Mariners goalkeeper Nikodin Matic.
It was a dramatic final five minutes with Kwasnik scoring in the clincher in the 88th minute before Yabio fired a penalty over the crossbar for Melbourne in injury time.
Central Coast 2 (Lewis 37, Kwasnik 88)
Melbourne Victory 0
