Perth came from two goals down to beat Central Coast 3-2 in Round 2 of the National Youth League at Lisarow on the Central Coast on Sunday.
Perth came from two goals down to beat Central Coast 3-2 in Round 2 of the National Youth League at Lisarow on the Central Coast on Sunday.
The Mariners led 1-0 at half-time following a well taken goal from Hyundai A-League squad member Brad McDonald.
And when striker Mitchell Duke scored the second after a great defence-splitting pass from Mustafa Amini in the 54th minute the Mariners looked on track to record their first win of the season at Pluim Park.
But Perth, who had several Hyundai A-League players in their squad, rallied brilliantly to score three goals in 12 minutes midway through the second stanza to make it back-to-back wins.
Brandon O’Neill got the first when his powerful low shot beat Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Mitchell in the 60th minute.
Seven minutes later scores were level when Tommy Amphett found the back of the net and Perth’s comeback was complete when Steve McGarry was in the right spot to capitalise on a goalkeeper error after 71 minutes.
Mitchell fumbled a cross and McGarry had an easy tap-in at the back post to put the visitors in front for the first time.
The Mariners finished strongly and with 12 minutes to play Zachary Freeburn fired over the bar from close range after a good build up, while replacement striker Kwabena Appiah-Kubi had a goalbound effort cleared off the line with the goalkeeper beaten in the 81st minute.
Then in the 84th minute an audacious back flick from Central Coast defender Trent Sainsbury was well saved before Appiah-Kubi headed the rebound on to the post.
With just over a minute to play Sainsbury then had a header from a corner go just wide.
Perth 3 (Brandon O-Neill 60-, Tommy Amphlett 68-, Steve McGarry 71-)
Central Coast 2 (Brad McDonald 28-, Mitchell Duke 54-)
