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National Youth League Round 13

At Southport Tigers, Gold Coast

GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 2 (Lustica 70’, Harold 73’)
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS YOUTH 5 (Macallister 19’, Nikas 29 [pen], Lewis 58’, Huke 63’, Ormsby 78’)
HT: 0-2
Referee: Alan Milliner

GOLD Coast United Youth suffered just their second defeat of the season and missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the National Youth League, going down 5-2 at home to Central Coast Mariners Youth.

The Mariners, who have now leapfrogged United to claim top spot on the NYL ladder, fielded a Hyundai A-League forward line in the opening half, with Nik Mrdja and Dylan Macallister causing all sorts of problems for Gold Coast with their strength and experience.

With plenty at stake, the visitors took the lead in the high-tempo match courtesy of a Dylan Macallister goal after 19 minutes. Brady Smith swung in a corner from the left-hand side and Macallister was on hand to prod the ball between the legs of United ‘keeper Jerrad Tyson.

The visitors doubled their lead on the half hour when Zac Anderson was penalised for dragging back Nik Mrdja in the box. Mariners skipper Panny Nikas converted from the penalty spot, despite the best efforts of Tyson, who got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from hitting the back of the net.

Just before the break Central Coast should have made it 3-0 when Macallister’s firm cross was met by the onrushing Brady Smith. Smith connected cleanly with the ball, but could only rattle the crossbar from close range.

On the stroke of half-time United almost found a way back into the game, but the chance came courtesy of Mariners defender Nathan Sherlock, who very nearly sliced the ball into his own net when trying to clear a low Mitch Bevan centre.

After a difficult first 45 minutes, coach Mike Mulvay rang the changes at half time, introducing Neko Vujevic, Ben Halloran and Ben Wearing for Mebrahtu, Milson and new senior team signing, Wayne Buchanan.

The reshuffle gave United more impetus and they soon tested Mariners’ ‘keeper Andrew Redmayne thanks to a Mitch Bevan header from Steven Topalovic’s cross.

But Gold Coast’s threatened revival was put to bed just before the hour when Matthew Lewis added a third for the visitors. A fine through ball by Nicholas Fitzgerald found Lewis bursting into the box and the youngster finished superbly, sliding the ball under Tyson from the tightest of angles.

Five minutes later it was 4-0, with Lewis turning provider this time, swinging in a fine corner for Shane Huke who registered his second of the game with a powerful near post header.

Gold Coast were showing plenty of spirit though and were duly rewarded on 69 minutes. Koh Satake’s free-kick was met firmly by the head of Ben Wearing who thundered his effort against the crossbar, the rebound landing at the feet of Steven Lustica who fired home.

Soon after United reduced the deficit further when Chris Harold saw the ball over the line following Zac Anderson’s flick, but it was too little, too late for Gold Coast with Adam Ormsby stroking home Central Coast’s fifth goal with 13 minutes to go.

Gold Coast United Youth:
1.Jerrad TYSON (gk) (20.Tim ANDERSON [gk] 65’), 2.Steven TOPALOVIC, 6.Mitchell BEVAN, 7.Zac ANDERSON, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Chris HAROLD, 10.Koh SATAKE, 12.Golgol MEBRAHTU (4.Neko VUJEVICH 46’), 14.Joshua BRILLANTE, 16.Wayne BUCHANAN (5.Ben WEARING 46’), 17.MILSON (11.Ben HALLORAN 46’).
Unused subs: None.
Yellow cards: Harold 17’, Z. Anderson 28’, Lustica 70’
Red cards: None.

Central Coast Mariners Youth:
1.Andrew REDMAYNE [gk] (20.Nik MATIC [gk] 68’), 2.Nathan SHERLOCK, 6.Manny GIANNAROS, 7.Matthew LEWIS, 8.Nick FITZGERALD (5.Luka DUKIC 60’), 9.Nik MRDJA, 10.Panny NIKAS (c), 12.Shane HUKE, 14.Brady SMITH (15.Adam ORMSBY 60’), 18.Mathew CROWELL, 19.Dylan MACALLISTER (11.Mitchell MALLIA 60’).
Unused subs: None.
Yellow cards: Sherlock 59’, Ormsby 90’, Fitzgerald 90+1’.
Red cards: None.