Mariners Pre-season

[FFC Mariner]

I think it was the MV 5-2 game where I famously turned and said "he's too far out, no chance" - then he scored.

However my "Mrdja will just whack it into the wall" predictions are running at 100%

 

[Part_Timer]

mrdja curled a free kick against sydney fc (trial match) new trend?? i hope so nearly went pidge

 

[A.W.E.S.O.M-O]

mrdja scoring a free kick --- no way!!!!

 

[FFC Mariner]

3-3 in Canberra

Travis, Caceres and Pedj for us (30m free kick)

Wilko equalised for them in injury time

 

[kevrenor]

3-3 in Canberra

Travis, Caceres and Pedj for us (30m free kick)

Wilko equalised for them in injury time

Mariners media release:

"Mariners miss shot at victory

A last gasp own goal has robbed the Central Coast Mariners of what would have been a deserved victory against a Capital Football select XI, in the final match of a five-day pre-season trip to Canberra.

The local side had the opening chance of the match as Adam Spaleta brought down a long ball and cut back for Ian Waldron, who scuffed his shot, Adam Kwasnik provided the Mariners first opening, recovering from a knock to test the Capital Football keeper Chris Morrow from 25 yards.

Nik Mrdja fired a free kick over the bar soon after, while Canberra FC pair Alex Castro played on Dom Giampalo who put his first time effort over the bar, and it was the hosts who took the lead three minutes later.

A long ball into the box proved troublesome for Danny Vukovic, who, looking directly into the sun was unable to hold it, and despite suspicions of offside, Daniel Gecic was able to finish past the unlucky Mariners custodian.

But the goal appeared to spur the Central Coast into action, a good ball into the box by Ahmad Elrich helped Pedj Bojic win a corner, Bojic heading over the bar from the ensuing set piece.

The former Northampton Town man again in the thick of the action on 24 minutes, when he laid the ball off for Adrian Caceres, who watched a deflected shot narrowly miss the target.

Kwasniks turn and shot soon after was cleared only as far as Caceres who again caused Morrow problems, and the Mariners eventually found an equaliser just after the half hour.

Elrichs run down the left and cross to the feet of Nicky Travis, meant the Sheffield United academy product could execute an impressive finish to the left of Morrow.

The Mariners had chances to take the lead but were unfortunate to see a couple of chances miss the target, while Elrich shot at Morrow deep into injury time.

The representative side wasnt laying down though and again took the lead, after Luke Pilkingtons mishit bobbled around in the box, allowing Dom Giampalo to tap home.

But just two minutes later balance was restored, Adrian Caceres making a good run down the right wing, before taking the ball into the box and slipping it past replacement keeper Jason Denham.

Five minutes later, the Mariners had the lead for the first time, thanks to one of the star performers of the five-day sojourn to the nations capital.

Pedj Bojic stepped up for a free kick 30 yards out, and with his spectacular winner in a pre-season trial against Queensland state league side Logan United just over a month ago still fresh in his mind, blasted home to make it 3-2.

Giampalo forced Vukovic into an athletic save with a free kick on the hour, while Kwasnik and Dylan Macallister both had half chances to add another.

Cruelly though for young Belconnen goalkeeper Alex Connell, given the last five minutes in the Mariners goal by Lawrie McKinna, he was unable to pick up a backpass from Alex Wilkisnon, the Central Coast watching on helplessly as it trickled into the empty net to rescue a 3-3 draw for the hosts.

Despite that, the Mariners remain undefeated this pre-season campaign, and are next in action in a pre-season trial match against Gold Coast United next Saturday, 18 July at Skilled Park. Kick Off is at 7:30pm.

For ticket details go to www.goldcoastunited.com.au <http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au>

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online at www.ccmariners.com.au <http://www.ccmariners.com.au>  or by phoning 1300 767 442.

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny Vukovic (gk) (30. Alex Connell (gk) 86) .4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Brad Porter, 8. Dean Heffernan (26. David DApuzzo 46), 9. Nik Mrdja (2. Lim Dong Sup 46), 10. Adrian Caceres (19. Matt Simon 78), 13. Chris Doig (16. Nigel Boogaard 46), 18. Alex Wilkinson (c), 21. Ahmad Elrich (11. Dylan Macallister 53), 22. Nicky Travis, 23. Adam Kwasnik,.

Unused Subs 15. Andrew Clark.

Yellow Cards Dean Heffernan 13
Red Cards None
Goals Nicky Travis 31, Adrian Caceres 52, Pedj Bojic 57

Capital Football XI 22. Chris Morrow (gk) (1. Jason Denham (gk) 46), 4. Ian Waldron (3. David Kemp 46), 5. Luke Pilkington (11. Cameron Gordon 64), 6. John Glass, 7. Alex Castro, (2. Taylor Beaton 59), 8. Ryan Jones, 10. Daniel Gecic (17. Matt Mensar 46), 12. Dom Giampalo, 13. Lee Pietrokowski (c), 14. John Ison (9. Marcin Zygmunt 71), 15. Adam Spaleta.

Unused Subs None.

Yellow Cards 8. Ryan Jones 37, 10. Daniel Gecic 38 Alex Castro 57
Red Cards None
Goals Daniel Gecic 20, Dom Giampalo 50, Alex Wilkinson (og 90)

Referee Ben Williams
Crowd Approx 1,400"

 

[FFC Mariner]

Cruelly though for young Belconnen goalkeeper Alex Connell, given the last five minutes in the Mariners goal by Lawrie McKinna, he was unable to pick up a backpass from Alex Wilkisnon, the Central Coast watching on helplessly as it trickled into the empty net to rescue a 3-3 draw for the hosts

What I said

 

[scottmac]

WILKO SCORED!!! Woohoooooooooo!

 

[Deej]

I went to the game today and I have to disagree with the media release, the boys from Canberra deserved a draw.

The team were tired after the game on Thursday and some heavy training sessions but they just didn't seem interested, which I can understand given their opposition.  However, no excuses for some of the errors IMO.

The first goal Danny was at fault, it was a high ball in the sun and rather than catching it Danny missed it, the ball came off his thigh and their striker collected the ball, turned neatly and slotted it into the corner.  Travis' goal was tidy, some good movement and a nice finish in the corner, shame the boys didn't have a few more moments like this.  Their second was woeful defending, the Korean trialist was probably to blame, I'm not sure we'll be seeing him again, the whole defense looked sloppy.  Caceres scored a typical breakaway Caceres goal, very well taken but was offside IMO.  Pedj's freekick was class.  The equaliser was a comedy, ball was crossed, keeper didn't call and Wilko just slotted it past him.

We started with :

Danny
Porter Doig Wilko Heff
Elrich Travis Pedj Caceres
Kwas Mrdja

Mrdja was poor, Heff got exposed a few times, Elrich was lazy and Caceres floated in and out the game, looked better when moved more advanced in the second half.  Good to see Macca and Simon get some time, we certainly miss that someone in the middle of the park! 

Good hit out for the team, trials are for getting fitter and trying new things so hopefully they achieved that!

2 trialists arrive tomorrow.

 

[dibo]

Mrdja was poor, Heff got exposed a few times, Elrich was lazy and Caceres floated in and out the game, looked better when moved more advanced in the second half.  Good to see Macca and Simon get some time

Sounds like business as usual frankly.

we certainly miss that someone in the middle of the park!

Oh no he didn't!



[/forum]

 

[marinermick]

Interesting that we went back to 4-4-2. Lawrie used the 4-2-3-1 against Sydney and thought that was the system he was working on.

And DJ, someone told me that Doig was captain. Is this true?

 

[Deej]

Interesting that we went back to 4-4-2. Lawrie used the 4-2-3-1 against Sydney and thought that was the system he was working on.

And DJ, someone told me that Doig was captain. Is this true?

Wilko was captain but when Heff was getting a talking to (twice) the ref called Doig over for a chat, looked as if he was captain but wasn't

Second half saw us play 3 up front for a while with Caceres, Macca and Kwas

 

[midfielder]

Is it just pre season or do we think ore defense is well kinda scarier than last year ... 3 goals to an ACT select side ... HMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[marinermick]

Is it just pre season or do we think ore defense is well kinda scarier than last year ... 3 goals to an ACT select side ... HMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm

clean sheet to sydney, though we didn't have hutch covering in midfield for this game

as dj said the boys were very tired

 

[fish]

Travis will be a great asset for us his creativity is something we have lacked. Has fantastic vision and given ime the boys will lern how to play with and off him..We just looked awfully flat in parts and the ACT side had a few handy players who were well and truly up for it.

Pedj's free kick was immense

 

[midfielder]

Is it just pre season or do we think ore defense is well kinda scarier than last year ... 3 goals to an ACT select side ... HMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm

clean sheet to sydney, though we didn't have hutch covering in midfield for this game

With Danny MOM...

 

[fish]

Their first goal today is one Danny would probably like to forget in a hurry

 

[Part_Timer]

Wish I had of gone now. Get use to new home stadiums

 

[fish]

The pitch was immaculate. F**king cold though, cant wait til August down there on a Friday night  lol

 

[Dutch Wives]

Mariners ready for United test

The Central Coast Mariners face their biggest pre-season test to date, when they face Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Saturday.

Following a strong off-season recruiting drive that includes Socceroo Jason Culina and New Zealand international Shane Smeltz as well as former Mariner Matt Osman and Central Coast junior Jess Vanstratten, the new boys have already made waves, highlighted by a 2-1 win over Fulham last week.

"Were looking forward to the challenge. We had a couple of solid hitouts in Canberra which the boys can learn a lot from, had a good week down there and the boys are refreshed and excited about going up to the Gold Coast," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.

"Itll be good to catch up with Matty (Osman) again and find out how hes going, obviously Miron will know what he wants to get out of the match, and Clive Palmer has already said theyll win the league undefeated in their first season, so I suppose well have to go up there and lose! joked McKinna.

"No, we wont be doing that, were undefeated so far in pre-season, its only a short time until the first game against Melbourne, so well be going up there looking for a good performance and hopefully getting a result, and being the first team to do so against the new boys," said McKinna.

While United remain unbeaten this pre-season, so are the Mariners, whose five match undefeated run has seen wins over North Queensland and a draw against Sydney FC.

"We know theyre going to be a good side, they beat Fulham last week which was a great result for them, and the rest of the league, but we know what we have to do, and its still only early, so our performance will mean just as much, if not more than the result, said McKinna.

The match will also give a chance for McKinna to cast his eye over trialist Michael McGlinchey, who has started training with the Gosford outfit following his release from Scottish giants Celtic.

"Michaels come in and has a good pedigree, even though hes a Celtic lad, but no, hes done well over there and looking for a chance over here, so hell give us another option in midfield, and he can play up front as well so well see how he goes this week and again next week in Dubbo," said McKinna.

Weve also got a young keeper from the youth squad Matty Ryan to come in and work with Danny (Vukovic) while Andrew Redmayne is away, and were still looking for one or two more faces before the start of the season.

Gary Wales did well when he was on trial with us last week and well have a look at a few more between now and Melbourne on August 6, said McKinna.

 

[Honkee]

Will there be ANY sort of coverage of the game against GCU? i.e Foxtel or updates on the interwebs?