Young Mariners striker Josh Bingham believes the weekend’s win over Perth Glory has revived Central Coast’s season and supercharged belief they can push for the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
Deputising for the suspended Roy O’Donovan, Bingham made his first start of the season on Saturday, scoring the opening goal in the crucial 2-0 win over Glory in Gosford.
Sizzling Mariners edge Glory in Gosford
The victory – the third of the season for Paul Okon’s side – has the Mariners on 13 points and seven shy of the top six, ahead of Sunday’s clash with last-placed Adelaide United in Canberra.
“I think [the Glory win] will really revive our season and get us moving forward to get us a few more good results in the coming weeks and hopefully push for finals football,” Bingham told reporters on Tuesday.
“The players we have in the dressing room, the mentality we have now is a bit different [to last season], the 22-year-old added.
“We have a structure we’re all comfortable with now.
“We’ve been putting on regular good performances and I think now it’s all about the results as well. That was the most important thing about the weekend against Perth.”
The Shellharbour product admits he’s unsure if he’ll keep his place in the starting side against Adelaide, with the club’s leading-scorer O’Donovan back from his ban.
Mariners initiative: Kids go free in Canberra
But he’s ready to take-on any role Okon assigns him on Sunday as long as it helps get the desired result in the nation’s capital.
“That’s the culture we’ve got, to work hard for each other and doing all you can for the team and the result,” Bingham said.
“We want to go on and make something of the season and we’re now in a position to go on and do that.
He added on the influence of the side’s senior stars: “Players like Roy [O’Donovan], Monty [skipper Nick Montgomery] and Fab [Fabio Ferreira] are mentors and bring a lot of experience to the change room.
“Roy and I do a lot of work on finishing at training. After the career he has and continues to have he has a wealth of knowledge and it’s invaluable for a young player like me coming through the ranks.”
