Gold Coast United have ensured Central Coast’s miserable National Youth League season continued with an emphatic 3-1 victory on Saturday.
The Queenslanders went into the match in second place and continued their charge to their second consecutive title with a comfortable victory at Budgewoi Soccer Club on the Central Coast.
Gold Coast dominated the first half and led 2-0 at half-time after captain Steven Lustica scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Ben Wearing powerfully headed beyond Mariners goalkeeper David Bradasevic six minutes later.
Lustica was given the chance from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from Mariner Alexander Mansueto on Elliot Ronto.
The Mariners, who are running last, were restricted to counter attacks in what was a poor first half performance from the home side.
To their credit the Mariners came out with much more intensity in the second half.
In-form Bernie Ibini-Isei scored his third goal against Gold Coast this season to put Central Coast back in the match in the 52nd minute.
The Mariners looked more than capable of equalising, creating several good chances but failed to find the cutting edge in front of goal.
Gold Coast replacement Mitch Cooper had a great chance to kill off the contest with 13 minutes to play but missed an open goal.
A third goal did eventually come when Chris Harold slotted home from the penalty spot after Ben Halloran was fouled by Bradasevic in the fourth minute of added time.
The Mariners finished a man down when Nicholas Fitzgerald was red carded for unsporting conduct in injury time.
