Newcastle Jets Youth have been defeated 6-0 by Central Coast Youth at EnergyAustralia Stadium this evening.
Newcastle Jets Youth have been defeated 6-0 by Central Coast Youth at EnergyAustralia Stadium this evening.
A hat trick to experienced marksman Nik Mrdja, as well as goals to former Qantas Socceroo Ahmad Elrich, Shane Huke and substitute Nicholas Fitzgerald secured the comprehensive win for the visiting Mariners.
Central Coast was undoubtedly the stronger team throughout, however Newcastle were not without their chances.
The best of the Jets- first half opportunities fell to strikers Jason Naidovski and Donny de Groot, with Qantas Young Socceroos stopper Andrew Redmayne thwarting the attacks on both occasions.
On 42 minutes, Naidovski hit a shot on the volley goal bound. Extending backwards, Redmayne parried before claiming de Groot-s follow up effort from close range.
Just three minutes later a fine ball in from the right side by Jarrad Ross was met with the head of de Groot. Despite heading firmly at goal, the Mariners custodian again stood in the way of the Dutchman etching his name on the score sheet.
Prior to these chances Central Coast had taken a two goal lead.
In the 20th minute Mrdja got the first of his treble via a neat finish having been played through one-on-one with Robbie Kolak by Elrich, before the pair reversed roles 16 minutes later when Mrdja cut back for Elrich to fire home.
Indeed, it seemed as if coach Craig Deans had inspired his troops at halftime when Jason Hoffman fired a fierce 47th minute drive across the face of goal – but it was the Mariners who would go onto a second half scoring spree.
A stunning 53rd minute strike by David D-Apuzzo – brother of Jets midfielder Adam – ricocheted off the woodwork before falling kindly to Mrdja to net his second into an open goal.
Huke pounced to head home a corner two minutes later, the goal prompting Deans into a triple substitution.
However, not even the additions of James Virgili, Adrian Karakolevski and Mirjan Pavlovic could stop the Jets from conceding two more.
In the 59th minute Mrdja completed his hat trick with a finish from six yards, before Fitzgerald finished the rout with a close range volley following a cross from David Gullo.
Match Details:
Newcastle Jets Youth Team: 1. Robbie KOLAK (gk), 2. Jarrad ROSS, 3. Matt SIM, 4. Umut TOKDOGAN, 5. Jesse PINTO, 6. Taylor REGAN (c), 7. Damian BROSQUE, 8. Jason HOFFMAN, 9. Donny DE GROOT (14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC 57-), 10. Jason NAIDOVSKI (13. James VIRGILI 57-), 11. Ali ABBAS (12. Adrian KARAKOLEVSKI 57-)
Unused substitutes: 20. Dion SHAW (gk)
Yellow cards: Pinto 32-, Pavlovic 80-
Red cards: Nil
Central Coast Youth Team: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk) (20. Nik MATIC (gk) 61-), 2. Nathan SHERLOCK, 3. David D’APUZZO, 5. Shane HUKE (OA), 6. Manny GIANNAROS, 9. Nik MRDJA (OA) (17. David GULLO 61-), 10. Panni NIKAS (c), 11. Matthew LEWIS, 12. Andrew CLARK (OA) (7. Brendan GRIFFIN 61-), 14. Brady SMITH, 18. Ahmad ELRICH (OA) (8. Nick FITZGERALD 46-)
Unused substitutes: Nil
Yellow cards: Huke 50- 68-, Giannaros 82-
Red cards: Huke 68-
Newcastle Jets Youth Team: 0
Central Coast Youth Team: 6
Referee: Kurt Ams
