Central Coast Mariners debutant Josh Macdonald bagged a brace in his first start for the club in their 6-0 drubbing of Northern NSW NPL side Adamstown Rosebud on Tuesday night.
In an excellent hitout for the Hyundai A-League side ahead of their F3 Derby friendly against Newcastle Jets on August 25, the Mariners scored three goals in each half to cap a strong showing.
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It took just two minutes for the Mariners to take the lead, Dutch midfielder Tom Hiariej firing in a cracking strike from distance which took a deflection before flying into the net.
Macdonald was the architect of the Mariners’ second on 28 minutes, with his pinpoint delivery allowing Connor Pain to finish smartly.
Matt Simon then won – and converted – a penalty a few minutes later as the Mariners led 3-0 at the break, before Macdonald made his mark after the break.
The attacker, signed from NSW NPL outfit Wollongong Wolves earlier this month, smashed home a half-volley from just inside the area early in the second half, before completing his brace just after the hour mark with a header from close range.
Fellow new recruit Matt Millar then made it six soon after with another long-range strike as the Mariners cruised to a big win.
“It was a good hit out for us tonight. It was fantastic to see Antony Golec and Tom Hiariej return from injury and a few of the new faces in the squad,” assistant coach Nick Montgomery said.
“We go away with plenty to work on but a lot of positives as well.
“Josh Macdonald really wants to make it as a professional and the same goes for Matty Millar, they were fantastic tonight and we were very impressed with their performances.
“The positives were scoring goals, could’ve been more and we’re happy to keep a clean sheet.”
