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De Lima lifts Mariners to vital win
Central Coast Mariners and their battle to beat the drop is going right down to the wire in NPLM NSW and thanks to an “exciting” young gun, they are in contention to survive.
Arthur De Lima was at the double despite an expected goals (xG) of 0.50 as the Mariners boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over Sydney Olympic on Saturday.
It was a memorable brace from the “exciting” 16-year-old Central Coast teenager, who struck in the 26th and 76th minutes to lift his side to a vital victory on the road at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium.
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After an unforeseen blackout at the venue, De Lima headed home the opener approaching the half-hour mark.
The lead lasted eight minutes, however, as Olympic hit back prior to the interval.
Then De Lima – who has been part of the Subway Joeys setup previously – bagged the winner 14 minutes from the end to give the Mariners just their second away win in 14 games.
Central Coast are 14th but level on 21 points alongside three other clubs at the foot of the table – 13th-placed Sutherland Sharks, 15th-placed Hills United and bottom-placed Sydney FC.
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“This win was massive for us as we fought extremely hard and stuck to our game plan. It’s paramount in the relegation battle that we continue to attack the opposition,” said Central Coast striker Luka Smyth via NPL NSW.
“The results are coming from us trusting our coach and trusting each other. That has got us into form.
“While we expect to be fighting hard for the rest of the season and putting in 100% effort like we’ve been doing recently.”
“A technically gifted and creative player”, De Lima is flourishing in Gosford after making the move from Brisbane Roar for the 2024 season.
Last year, he featured in the starting XI of Brisbane’s NPL side for the first time and impressed for the Roar.
This season, De Lima has scored five goals in nine appearances (from an xG of 2.82) for Central Coast’s senior academy side in NPLM NSW.
He also ranks in NPLM NSW’s top 10 for average recoveries in final third per 90 minutes (seventh – 2.41) and counter-pressing recoveries per 90 minutes (sixth – 4.68).
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Elsewhere, Sydney FC lost 2-1 to Blacktown City.
Bailey Callaghan equalised for the Sky Blues, but Blacktown took home the points 10 minutes from the end.
“I think Blacktown City are a dominant team, their end product is good through corners and crosses but we did well to limit them,” said Sydney coach Jimmy Van Weeren.
“We’re proud of this group, they’ve come a long way from conceding eight the last time we faced them and almost get something from the game is super positive.”
Slumping Western Sydney Wanderers, meanwhile, went down 1-0 to Manly United.
In NPLW NSW, Emerging Jets played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Illawarra Stingrays.
The Jets led 2-0 thanks to goals from Josie Allan and Alexis Collins, whose sublime half-volley looped over former Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Brianna Edwards.
Sydney FC’s Sienna Saveska sparked Illawarra’s comeback in the 74th minute before the home side rescued a point late on.
As for Bulls FC Academy, they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to NWS Spirit.
Reds young gun bags hat-trick
Luka Jovanovic is set to go head-to-head with new signing Archie Goodwin for Adelaide United’s no.9 role in 2024-25 and the young striker showed what he is capable of at NPL level over the weekend.
Adelaide are known for their production line and Jovanovic is among the players to break through at Coopers Stadium, where the 19-year-old has scored seven A-Leagues goals since debuting in 2022-23.
On Saturday, Jovanovic scored a hat-trick in Adelaide’s 4-2 triumph away to South Adelaide in NPLM SA – his first game since returning from the Isuzu UTE A-League break.
After Yaya Dukuly opened the scoring in the first minute, Jovanovic took over with two goals before half-time and he completed his treble 10 minutes into the second half.
Young gun Amlani Tatu came off the bench for the Reds, who had Ethan Cox and Austin Ayoubi in the starting XI.
In NPLM WA, Perth Glory were beaten 6-1 by Olympic Kingsway while Brisbane Roar went down 4-0 to Peninsula Power in NPLM QLD.
Melbourne teen’s stunning debut
Daniel Matina. Remember the name.
Within minutes of coming on for his VPL1 debut, the 16-year-old scored for Melbourne City in their 3-1 win against second-placed Northcote City on Saturday.
Another exciting academy prospect at City, Matina scored a brilliant goal to mark a memorable debut at Casey Fields.
Joseph De Los Santos Myles and Lawrence Wong also scored for City, who are three games unbeaten having upstaged Western United a week prior.
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City are seventh in the standings and 14 points behind leaders Melbourne Victory, who lost again.
Victory are in the midst of a four-game winless run after suffering back-to-back losses following a 3-2 defeat at Brunswick City.
Tommaso Minutoli and Austin Ganino scored but it was not enough.
A Luke Vickery brace guided Western United to a 2-0 win away to lowly Werribee City.
Vickery signed his first professional contract this off-season and he has struck 10 times this VPL1 season.
Western are fourth and within five points of top spot through 22 rounds.
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In NPLW VIC, Calder United defeated Boroondara-Carey Eagles 2-1.
Susan Phonsongkham, who has played for Perth Glory in the Liberty A-League since 2021, scored twice in Preston Lions’ 7-1 mauling of Bentleigh Greens.
Alana Jancevski scored in Heidelberg United’s 2-1 win away to rivals South Melbourne.
Melbourne City star Rhianna Pollicina was on target for Box Hill United in their 2-1 loss against Essendon Royals.
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Over in Football NSW League One, Bulls FC Academy stayed top of Football NSW League One with a 2-1 triumph over Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Flynn Madden was the star of the show with two quick-fire goals in the first half.
“Flynn has been one of our most consistent players this season so this doesn’t surprise me he scored 2 but I’m sure he will agree he could have had three or four,” Bulls head coach Craig Noone told aleagues.com.au.
“Whether he’s played 6,8 or 10 he’s thrived. In recent games he’s been captain and has kicked on to another level”.
In New Zealand’s Men’s Central League, Wellington Phoenix lost 2-0 to third-placed Napier City Rovers.
