The Newcastle Jets have earned their first win in Conference B of the Foxtel National Youth League season with a 3-0 win against the Central Coast Mariners at Magic Park.
Newcastle made the perfect start in the 3rd minute when captain Andrew Pawiak intercepted a poor clearance from Mariners goalkeeper Adam Pearce. Pawiak picked out Mitch Cooper on the edge of the box, who fired a low drive into the bottom corner past a diving Pearce.
The Mariners were dealt another blow in the 23rd minute when influential midfielder Anthony Kalik was forced off due to an injury. Despite the early double setback, Central Coast found their way into the game and enjoyed extended spells of possession.
Newcastle almost doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break, when winger Brandon Lundy cut in from the left hand side of the box and fired a low drive towards the bottom left corner, which Pearce met with a diving fingertip save to divert the ball around the post to ensure the game remained in the balance at the break.
Despite the Jets dominating second half possession, the Mariners would have been level on the hour mark if not for a sharp right handed reflex save from keeper Blake Tuxford. Lachlan Wales was found in space on the right on a narrow angle and took the chance quickly, which Tuxford did well to push over the crossbar.
Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when Cooper sprung the offside trap to go 1 on 1 with Pearce. Cooper knocked the ball around the Mariners keeper before being brought down before he could tap into an empty net. Pearce was perhaps lucky to see only a yellow card, however from the resulting spot kick, Lundy calmly sent the keeper the wrong way with a low strike to the bottom right of the goal.
The points were sealed two minutes later when Newcastle broke quickly on the right through Lundy, who carried the ball 50 yards before squaring to midfielder Josh Barresi who had the simplest of tasks to finish the move.
The Jets almost made it four late in the game when substitute Cody Carroll forced another top class save from Pearce.
The result sees the Jets climb to second in conference B, while the Mariners slide to the foot of the table behind the FFA Centre of Excellence on goal difference.
The Jets are in action this Sunday night against leaders Sydney FC away at Lambert Park, while the Mariners have a week off with the bye.
Newcastle Jets Youth 3 (Cooper 3’, Lundy 71’ (pen), Barresi 73’)
Central Coast Mariners Youth 0
At Magic Park, Newcastle.
Newcastle Jets: 1. Blake Tuxford (GK), 2. Ben Hay, 3. Thomas Whiteside, 5. Caio De Godoy, 6. Josh Barresi, 7. Brandon Lundy, 8. Andrew Pawiak (C), 9. Kristian Brymora, 10. Mitch Cooper, 11. Charles Horsley, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow.
Substitutes: 12. Finn Parris, 14. Cody Carroll, 16. Adam Cawley.
Unused Substitutes: 20. Bon Scott (GK).
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Adam Pearce, 2. Brian Jamba, 3. Joshua Forbes, 4. Tomislav Uskok, 5. Marcus Duncan, 6. Reece Papadimitrios (C), 7. Lachlan Wales, 8. Adam Berry, 9. Trent Buhagiar, 10. Anthony Kalik, 11. Ryan Peterson.
Substitutes: 12. Daniel Macfarlane, 13. Marley Peterson, 14. Steve Whyte.
Unused Substitutes: 20. Kane Runge (GK)