Central Coast Mariners Academy v Fraser Park
Fraser Park have snapped their three-game losing streak, salvaging a 1-1 draw with Central Coast Mariners Academy at Pluim Park on Saturday night.
In chilly conditions, both sides produced some quality football and the helter skelter match – which even had the kitchen sink thrown in – ultimately produced a fair outcome.
Fraser Park entered the match on the back of consecutive 1-0 defeats in the league, with inconsistency in front of goals proving their key undoing. A midweek Cup rout of association side Waverley Old Boys gave the attackers some confidence and they showed positive signs from the outset.
After bursting out from the blocks, the visitors had the first true sight of goal as Sash Tirovski found space to shoot in a crowded box, only for his effort to brush the side netting.
It was an equally hasty opening period from the Mariners, with the youngest side in the competition looking to maintain momentum from their recent encouraging performances.
Fraser Park looked determined to turn up the pressure and Jeffrey Issa’s powerful shot forced a diving save from goalkeeper Beyhan Irmako to signal his side’s intentions.
Just minutes later, Irmako was again called into action as Mitch Davidson picked up the scraps on the edge of the area and fired towards the left side of goal.
With coach Jason van Blerk pacing the technical area and rallying his troops, the Mariners soon settled into the match. Josh Swadling’s crossfield ball found Nathan Verity in an advanced position on the left. His first cross was blocked but the follow up took a slight deflection and hit the crossbar.
They went agonisingly close again just a couple of minutes later when Adam Woodbine offloaded to Josh Bingham and the striker’s attempt for the far post went inches wide.
With both teams going gung ho, the match blew wide open, with the front third getting a workout from each camp, albeit via different methods. Fraser Park looked strong on the counter attack while Mariners opted for a more patient build up and thrust their speedy wingers forward when the timing was right.
Mariners began to fade in the latter stages of the first half, though, and produced some cheap turnovers which Fraser Park were more than happy to benefit from. The first was two minutes before the break when Jeffrey Issa’s cross found Kevin Oliveira at the far post, but his half volley sprayed across the goal.
Oliveira then had another attempt with the final chance of the half as a Mariners goalkick was intercepted by a header from George Lagoudakis which put his teammate through on goal. A comfortable save for Irmako saw the first 45’ end at 0-0.
Both coaches would have sounded the warning to begin the second half with intensity, but it was the Mariners that heeded it most, taking a 1-0 lead just two minutes after the resumption.
Josh Bingham’s shot on the edge of the box was blocked but not cleared, allowing Daniel Souza to have a go and he neatly tucked away his effort into the bottom left corner.
The introduction of Wassim Hijazi into the frontline provided Fraser Park a welcomed change of pace and he worked into a number of dangerous positions, with the Mariners defence required to step up and block the path.
With tackles flying in from all angles, it was clear the scoresheet would again be troubled and Fraser Park’s relentless raids on goal finally became fruitful as Kevin Oliveira buried an equaliser.
Sash Tirovski should take an equal amount of credit, his pinpoint through ball over the top fell perfectly for Oliveira and the winger showed great composure to round Irmako and slot the ball home.
Tirovski and Oliveira linked up again in a similar fashion just minutes later, but the end result wasn’t quite there this time.
Mariners looked a tad rattled after conceding, but continued to press for the decisive goal, with Adam Woodbine’s forays forward and Josh Bingham’s prowess threatening to unravel the opposition defence.
It was the away side who had the best chance of the final exchanges when Kevin Oliveira’s volley from Mitch Davidson’s cross hit the bar and found George Lagoudakis just metres away, with the midfielder shooting wide from a good position.
In the end, 1-1 seemed a just result as both of these teams showed signs of improvement and will only get better as the season progresses.
Central Coast remain in touch with the frontrunners, while Fraser Park received a significant confidence boost to take points for just the second time this season.
Central Coast Mariners Academy 1 (Daniel Souza 47’)
Fraser Park 1 (Kevin Oliveira 70’)
Saturday 26 April, 2014
At Pluim Park, Lisarow
Central Coast Mariners Academy:11. Josh Bingham, 3. Grant Brown, 6. Matthew Crowell ©, 20. Beyhan Irmako (gk), 5. Ridge Mapu (17. Cameron Pryse-Jones 67’), 2. Liam O’Dell, 16. Jack Ragen, 15. Daniel Souza (9. Dean Caletti 64’), 7. Joshua Swadling (14. Lachlan Wales 76’), 4. Nathan Verity, 10. Adam Woodbine
Subs not used: 12. Daniel McFarlane, 1. Patrick Ferrara
Yellow cards: Cameron Pryse-Jones
Red cards: Nil
Fraser Park:20. Hussein Akil (4. George Lagoudakis 30’), 18. Mitchell Davidson, 16. Robert Di Meglio, 1. Michael Frost, 6. Jeffrey Issa (9. Wassim Hijazi 59’), 11. Carlo Musumeci, 7. Kevin Oliveira, 10. Paulo Oliveira ©, 17. Sash Tirovski, 3. Andrew Vitucci (13. Pasqualino Cappuccio 65’), 8. David Wilson
Subs not used: 40. Wayne Estevao, 19. Harrison Brown
Yellow cards: David Wilson, Robert Di Meglio, Carlo Musumeci
Red cards: Nil
