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NYL: United make it four wins in five

Three of the goals came in a nine-minute spell during the first half with United’s Golgol Mebrahtu and Kwame Yeboah scoring either side of Joel Chianese’s equaliser for Sydney.

In the final minute of the match Chris Lucas confirmed the points for Gold Coast with a clinical finish after riding a strong challenge and homing in on goal.

United’s performance may not have hit the heights of recent weeks, but they showed they were up for a battle as both sides went hell for leather in what was at times a fiery encounter.

First team defender Ante Rozic began his comeback from injury with a spot in the centre of defence and his presence was felt early on as he twice halted the dangerous runs of Chianese.

Gold Coast took the lead their bright start deserved thanks to a slide-rule finish from Golgol Mebrahtu in the 17^th minute. The young striker had earlier seen two goals disallowed for offside, but there was no doubt about his third attempt as he drilled his low shot past Marko Bozic in the Sydney goal.

But just as Mebrahtu had threatened the visitors’ net prior to scoring, so too had the sky blues’ Chianese and when presented with a second opportunity he levelled confidently just three minutes after Mebrahtu had put United in front.

The action was coming thick and fast in an end-to-end first half and on 26 minutes Gold Coast restored their advantage. Jake Barker-Daish was instrumental in the build up and after some statuesque defending by the visitors the ball dropped to Kwame Yeboah 12 metres out who gratefully accepted the invitation to make it 2-1.

Yeboah almost doubled his tally soon afterwards with a powerful drive from just inside the box, only for Bozic to produce a fine reflex save and keep the ball out.

Sydney started the second period well as they went in search of another equaliser with Chianese, Blake Powell and Caleb Rufer going close. Gold Coast weathered the early storm though and with Barker-Daish and Mitch Cooper pulling the strings in midfield they soon regained their grip on the match.

The visitors had Nathan Sherlock to thank for clearing a Chris Lucas shot off the line after the striker had skipped around the goalkeeper, then moments later Cooper lashed a volley inches past the post.

United keeper Brendan White pulled off a string of good saves in the latter stages as Sydney went for broke, but the home side broke late on with the strike from Lucas securing an important three points.

The victory continues Gold Coast’s march up the National Youth League ladder and makes it four wins in five games for Mike Mulvey’s side.

National Youth League Week 8

At Owen Park, Southport

GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 3 (Mebrahtu 17’, Yeboah 26’, Lucas 90+3’)

SYDNEY FC YOUTH 1 (Chianese 20’)

HT: 2-1

Referee: Matthew Skinner