Sydney FC’s National Youth League side suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Central Coast Mariners at Budgewoi Soccer Club on Saturday afternoon.
The Central Coast Mariners National Youth League side has climbed off the bottom of the ladder, following a 2-1 win over Southern rivals Sydney FC at Budgewoi Soccer Club on Saturday afternoon.
Sydney went ahead midway through the second half through Justin Hayward before late goals to Mitchell Mallia and Bernie Ibini-Isei handed the Mariners their first victory since a 2-nil triumph over Melbourne Victory back in week four.
The Youth Sky Blues next match is against the second placed Gold Coast at Own Park in Southport on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Desperate to climb off the foot of the ladder, the young Mariners started brightly enough, as Bernie Ibini Isei forced Antony Golec into a strong tackle, just as he was about to pull the trigger after being put through by Adam Ormsby.
Tony Walmsley-s men thought they had the advantage five minutes in when Ibini ISei went on a lovely run through the centre of the park before laying off for Sam Munro, who coolly slotted home, only for the Assistant Referee to flag for offside.
Mitchell Duke fired at Dylan Mitchell in the Sydney goal as the hosts continued to press while Sydney-s first real opportunity came a quarter of an hour in, as Peter Simonski fired at Nik Matic from 20 yards.
The Mariners suffered a major blow as midfielder Alex Mansueto fell heavily, dislocating his shoulder to end his afternoon, and reduce the size of the bench following the introduction of Jerry Kalouris.
Two minutes later, Sydney FC would have the opening goal, Ormsby losing out to Simonski, who sent Justin Hayward in to beat Matic one-on-one.
Jimmy Oates blasted over but the attacking spark seemed to have deserted the Young Mariners, and Simonski very nearly put the visitors two-up on the stroke of half time, as Matic fumbled a flicked-on header, before regathering in the nick of time.
Max Glanville was introduced at the break and very nearly got his side back into it shortly after the restart, as he latched on to a half-cleared corner and was unlucky to see his fierce volley end just wide of the back post.
The howling Northerly wind was causing havoc for both teams, so much so that what appeared to be a well timed shot by Sydney skipper Joel Chianese, ended up going out for a throw in.
The Mariners slowly began to rediscover their attacking spark, Mitchell Mallia tried a spectacular overhead volley 73 minutes in without success, but his next effort would prove more fruitful.
Finding himself in space on the left edge, Mallia tried an audacious chip toward the back post, and Mitchell could only watch on helplessly as it ended up in the top corner to draw the Yellow and Navy level.
Nine minutes from time the comeback was complete, and it was Mallia who turned provider on this occasion, delivering a delightful switch for Ibini-Isei on the left edge of the area, and the tall striker controlled with aplomb to fire a fine low drive past Mitchell into the bottom corner for the sides second win of the season.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Mallia 76-, Ibini-Isei 81-)
Sydney FC 1 (Hayward 24-)
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Nik MATIC (gk), 4. Alex MANSUETO (3. Jerry KALOURIS 24-), 5. Jimmy OATES, 6. Sam MUNRO (c), 9. Bernie IBINI-ISEI, 10. Mitchell DUKE (8. Zac FREEBURN 46-), 11. Mitchell MALLIA, 15. Adam ORMSBY, 17. Sam GALLAGHER, 18. Marc WARREN, 19. Nik MRDJA (2. Max GLANVILLE 46-).
Subs not Used: 20. David BRADASEVIC (gk).
Yellow Cards: Warren 45-, Oates 76-, Mallia 83-
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 1. Dylan MITCHELL (gk), 3. Antony GOLEC, 5. David VRANKOVIC, 6. Jared LUM, 9. Justin HAYWARD (8. Stevan ILIC 61-), 11. Joel CHIANESE (c), 12. Giorgio SPERANZA, 13. Mitchell SPEER, 14. Peter SIMONOSKI (7. Dillen VORSTER 61-), 15. Tomislav CIRJAK (19. David GULLO 57-), 17. Luke AUSTIN.
Subs not Used: 20. Aaron LIDDELL (gk).
Yellow Cards: Chianese 67-, Ilic 76-
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Stephen LUCAS
