Danny Vukovic made a winning return as the Central Coast Mariners kickstarted their National Youth League campaign with a 2-1 victory against Melbourne on Saturday at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
Vukovic was beaten by a first-half penalty from Dimitri Hatzikostas, but otherwise performed well in his first match since round two of the Hyundai A-League.
Hyundai A-League players David D’Apuzzo and former national junior representative Dylan Macallister scored for the Mariners.
The win was the Mariners’ first in three matches, while Melbourne is still without a point.
After a poor performance in Adelaide last week the Mariners again started slowly but looked much sharper in the second half.
Strikers Nik Mrdja and Macallister combined well up front, while D’Apuzzo was constantly looking to push forward. His first goal for the club just before the break lifted the Mariners.
Melbourne had the best of the chances in the first half but Vukovic was rarely called on in a second half dominated by the home team.
Macallister was in the right spot at the right time in the 65th minute as he showed good reflexes to head home a shot from Steven Tibbetts to seal the victory.
Defender Paul O’Grady was another to impress for the Mariners. Melbourne pushed forward in a bid to score an equaliser in the final 20 minutes but the Mariners defence, led by O’Grady, held strong.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 2 (David D-Apuzzo 44-, Dylan McCallister 66-)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Dimitri Hatzimouratis 15-)
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Saturday 11 October 2008
Referee: Tim McGilchrist
Central Coast Mariners line-up: 20.Danny VUKOVIC (OA), 8.David D-APUZZO (13.Laurence BRAUDE 56-), 7.Matthew LEWIS, 5.Nathan SHERLOCK (10.Glen TRIFIRO 90-), 9.Brady SMITH, 2.Steven TIBBETTS, 10.Glen TRIFIRO (17.Sean MITCHELL 58-), 15.Dylan MACALLISTER (OA), 16.Nik MRDJA (OA) (6.Ty OWENS 58-), 21.Paul O’GRADY (OA), 12.Scott WRIGHT
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Glen Trifiro 10-, Paul O-Grady 10-, David D-Apuzzo 20-, Laurence Braude 68-, Dylan Macallister 76-
Red Cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory line-up: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 7.Aziz BEHICH, 12.Leigh BROXHAM, 3.Ante CICAK (5.Fabio DI LIZIA 60-), 4.Matthew FOSCHINI, 11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS, 13.Andy JEREZ (14.Samuel GALLAWAY 60-), 9.Mathew THEODORE, 2.Robert WYNNE, 6.Steven PACE (OA), 10.Nick WARD (OA) (8.Stephen HATZIKOSTAS 50-)
Substitutes not used: 20.Mijo MARINOVIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Nick Ward 49-
Red Cards: Nil
