The Central Coast Mariners disappointing National Youth League campaign continued on Sunday, with Perth Glory claiming a comfortable 3-0 win over the junior yellow and navy at Pluim Park in Lisarow.
The Central Coast Mariners disappointing National Youth League campaign continued on Sunday, with Perth Glory claiming a comfortable 3-0 win over the junior yellow and navy at Pluim Park in Lisarow.
Two goals by Hyundai A-League squad member Adrian Zahra, combined with a powerful finish from Glory substitute Gian Albano secured Gareth Naven’s side their fourth win of season six of Australia’s premier youth competition.
Patrick Zwaanswijk’s Mariners finished the match with just nine men on the field after senior squad member Brent Griffiths was shown a straight red shortly before the interval, while midfielder Nathan Verity picked up his second yellow of the contest close to full time.
Glory Youth had the better of the chances in the first 45 minutes, with most of their opportunities coming through striker Ndumba Makeche. The speedy Makeche was proving troublesome for the Mariners defence, however his efforts were thwarted by good goalkeeping from David Bradasevic, as well as some desperate Central Coast defending.
Glory Youth took the lead just before the half-time break when Zahra made the most of a penalty awarded to the Perth side by referee Lachlan Daniel. Griffiths went in studs up on Perth midfielder Slobodan Vulin to give away the penalty, with Zahra stroking his chance from the spot calmly beyond Bradasevic.
After the break Zwaanswijk introduced defender Liam O’Dell for striker Dejan Pandurevic as he aimed to shore up his defence against the 11 men of Glory. For long periods in the second stanza the ten-man Mariners managed to repel the best advances of the Glory boys, even if some of their defending was last ditch.
Indeed, Perth should have doubled their advantage in the 57th minute when Vulin had two great opportunities to score, however the midfielder’s initial header was well blocked by Bradasevic, before his follow-up shot was stopped on the line by Mariners left back Matt Sim.
Five minutes later Central Coast had strong appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Daniels. Josh Bingham appeared to be tripped inside the area, but Zwaanswijk’s side weren’t to be granted an opportunity to level proceedings from 12 yards.
Glory did manage to double their lead with just two minutes of regulation time remaining through substitute Albano. With a precise cross arriving from the left, Albano struck a sweet right foot effort at the first time of asking into the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse for the Mariners in added time as Verity was booked for a second time, meaning Zwaanswijk’s charges finished the contest with nine players.
And there was to be more late action on the wet and slippery surface on the Central Coast, with Zahra scoring his second goal of the encounter deep into added time when he bent a shot from the edge of the area beyond Bradasevic to round out the scoring.
Perth’s win over Mariners Youth takes Naven’s team to 12 points after 16 rounds of matches, while Central Coast remain bottom of the competition with one win and three draws with two rounds to play.
Central Coast Mariners Youth 0
Perth Glory Youth 3 (Zahra 45′ (pen), 90+2′, Albano 87′)
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1. David BRADASEVIC (Gk), 2. Jacob ESPOSITO, 3. Joshua FORBES, 4. Matt SIM (9. Patrick DIXON 60′), 6. Brent GRIFFITHS, 8. Nathan VERITY, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Josh BINGHAM (C), 15. Lachlan EVERITT, 16. Tom SLATER (7. Dillon VORSTER 60′), 17. Dejan PANDUREVIC (5. Liam O’DELL 46′)
Substitutes not used: 12. Tonu LIIBAND (Gk)
Yellow cards: Verity x2
Red cards: Griffiths, Verity
Perth Glory Youth: 1. Luke RADONICH (Gk), 2. Sean TROUP (17. Jack OLDHAM 57′), 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 5. Ryan EDWARDS, 6. Cameron EDWARDS, 7. Slobodan VULIN (8. Blamo QUA QUA 57′), 9. Ndumba MAKECHE, 10. Adrian ZAHRA, 11. Harry O’BRIEN (13. Gian ALBANO 57′), 14. Matthew DAVIES, 18. Alexander CASTIELLO
Substitutes not used: 30. Fraser GREENWOOD (Gk)
Yellow cards: Zahra
Red cards: Nil
