Anthony Kalik’s penalty proved the difference as Central Coast suffered a 1-0 loss to AIS in the Mariners’ final National Youth League home fixture this season.
Anthony Kalik’s penalty proved the difference as Central Coast suffered a 1-0 loss to Tony Vidmar’s AIS squad at Pluim Park Lisarow, in the Mariners’ final National Youth League home fixture this season.
Ending the match with just 10 men, the Mariners fell on the wrong side of a numerical disadvantage in the 79th minute when one of their most positive performers, Jacob Esposito, picked up his second yellow card of the outing.
AIS found themselves with the first chance of the match through Mark Ochieng who had the ball in a dangerous position but was shut down early by goalkeeper David Bradasevic, who charged out of his area in the seventh minute.
The right-winger continued to pressure the area of the Yellow & Navy, stepping over a dead ball in the 15th minute and shooting straight into the chest of Bradasevic for no result.
The opening stages were evenly contested but it was the away side that drew first blood through an Anthony Kalik spot kick in the 16th minute.
A challenge from behind by Central Coast’s Adrian Vlastelica handed the AIS a penalty, which was calmly converted by Kalik into the bottom, left-hand corner to open the scoring.
After going behind the Mariners worked hard, with Patrick Dixon and Steve Whyte linking up well on the left, while Esposito caused trouble on the right, although neither flank could provide the crucial final ball.
Throughout the match, Mariners’ skipper Josh Bingham proved an aerial threat but many of his headed attempts lacked either direction or power.
AIS’ goal scorer, Kalik, almost doubled the lead and his own tally with 10 minutes remaining in the first half from a set piece.
His header skimmed the top netting before Darcy Madden and Marc Marino also struck at goal, although unfortunately for the away side, both chances from tough angles dribbled either side of the uprights.
The best chance before half-time then fell to the home side, as Esposito sent in a dangerous cross from the right, one which was flicked off Bingham’s head for Liam O’Dell to volley in an effort that struck the post from close range.
The second stanza was much quieter than the first, with both teams making three substitutions as the latecomers attempted to find their feet.
The Mariners youth found their goalmouth troubled on several occasions, with some unconvincing clearances coming from Bradasevic, who deflected his passes off the AIS attackers numerous times.
The hosts frustration was noticeable 11 minutes from time when Esposito received his second yellow card for the match, having charged the line early to defend a free kick, leaving the home side with just 10 men for the game’s final stages.
Two minutes later the AIS looked to make the most of their advantage through Jordan Pudler, who struck a shot from just inside the area with plenty of venom to draw Bradasevic into a save.
The final whistle sounded, with Patrick Zwaanswijk’s boys going down 1-0 leaving them rooted to the bottom of the National Youth League ladder while the AIS are in eighth position.
Central Coast Mariners Youth 0
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) 1 (Kalik 16p)
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1. David BRADASEVIC (gk), 2. Jacob ESPOSITO, 3. Josh FORBES, 4. Adrian VLASTELICA (6. Lachlan WALES 59′), 5. Liam O’DELL, 7. Dillon VORSTER, 9. Patrick DIXON, 10. Dominic FERGUSON, 11. Josh BINGHAM (c), 14. Steve WHYTE (17. Brian JAMBA 50′), 15. Lachlan EVERITT (16. Daniel McFARLANE 45′)
Substitutes not used: 12. Tonu LIIBAND (gk)
Yellow cards: Adrian Vlastelica 16′, Josh Bingham 18′, Jacob Esposito 28′ & 79′, David Bradasevic 80′, Josh Forbes 90′
Red cards: Jacob Esposito
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS): 1. Jordan THURTELL (gk), 2 Darcy MADDEN 3. Brendan GONANO (23. Rocko PIZZATA 58′), 4. Benjamin WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOUS (19. Bright APPIAH 58′), 11. Marc MARINO (9. Tod NORRIS 58′), 12. Mark OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH (c)
Substitutes not used: 30. Lucas SPINELLA
Yellow cards: Benjamin Warland 9′, Brendan Gonano 46′
Red cards: nil
