Mariners down FFA COE in thriller

The Central Coast Mariners Youth team have taken out an eight-goal thriller at Tuggerah against the FFA Centre of Excellence where Dan Heffernan bagged a hat trick.

A cracking header to Marcus Duncan and classy goal to Trent Buhagiar from his first touch of the game was more than enough to pick up the side’s first 3 points of the season. 

The opening two minutes of play were frantic, with Daniel Arzani striking in the opening seconds only to spur on a return blow by Dan Heffernan in the 2nd minute of play.

It wouldn’t be Heffernan’s only goal of the morning, the Manchester born hitman capping off his hat-trick with impressive goals in the 13th and 64th minute of play.

Marcus Duncan also lurched forward for a set piece and added to the tally from a precision corner. The imposing centre back jumped above the pack and placed his header perfectly in the bottom corner. Pacey winger, Trent Buhagiar started today’s match on the bench and scored in the 71st minute with his first touch  and tapped past the keeper with ease.

The FFA Centre of Excellence coached by former Mariner Tony Vidmar struck in the opening seconds off the back of a defensive mix up that Cameron Joice made the most of. Arzani tried his luck in the 33rd minute which resulted in a goal from a heavy deflection before scoring an impressive goal just before half time from a sharp individual run.

The win is the first three points for Joe Haywood’s Mini Mariners with full attention now turning to next week’s Youth #F3Derby against the Newcastle Jets.

Central Coast Mariners Youth: Adam PEARCE (GK (Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 78’), Adam BERRY, Marcus DUNCAN, Brian JAMBA, Anthony KALIK, Liam ROSE, Mickey NEILL, Ryan PETERSON (Trent BUHAGIAR 71’), Lachlan WALES (Steve WHYTE 78’), Dan HEFFERNAN, Josh FORBES (Reece PAPADIMITRIOS 71’)

FFA Centre of Excellence: James DELIANOV (GK) (12. Brandon OSIPOV (GK) 67’), Joe CALETTI ©, Henry DAVIES, Joshua HOPE, Jame DIMITROFF (23.Kosta PETRATOS 70’) Cameron JOICE, Peter KEKERIS, Danny KIM, Nicholas PANETTA (Daniel ARZANI 20’), Charlie DEVEREUX, Aaron REARDON (14.SOLOMON-JOHNN MONAHAN-VAIIKA 75’)