FOOTBALL –
The Central Coast Mariners have made it through to the final 16 in the FFA Cup by securing a win against Blacktown City FC in the Round of 32 elimination match.
Played on Saturday, November 13 beneath swirling wind and rain in Mudgee, the 1-0 result was hard earned for Head Coach, Nick Montgomery’s fresh-faced team, with many squad members experiencing their competitive debut.
International debutant, Béni Nkololo was responsible for the 76th-minute goal that ultimately decided the fixture, making good on his promising left foot with a well-curved shot to find the side of the net.
In midfield, Storm Roux joined Joshua Nisbet and captain Oliver Bozanic to spearhead the team’s 73 per cent total possession and reduce Blacktown’s threat on goal to a number of spontaneous, yet dangerous, counter-attacking moments.
The defensive line was maintained with debutant, Jack Farrell, on the left who held his position and showed signs of his potential as an effective forward runner and ball crosser.
Up front, veteran Matt Simon brought his usual high energy and resilience until substituted with 10 minutes of play remaining for first team scholar, Damien Tsekenis.
Two more international newcomers, Matheus Moresche and Cy Goddard, were given the run on late
and had chances to double the team’s advantage without result.
Despite remaining in the balance until the final whistle, the win ensured the Mariners entry into the FFA Cup Round of 16 fixture against Wollongong Wolves FC, date and venue to be confirmed.
“It feels fantastic,” Montgomery said.
“It’s been a really long preseason, we worked a long time for the game, so to get the win and progress through to the next round is all that matters.
“Blacktown came with the game plan to sit in and let us have the ball and try to frustrate us, with 10 men behind the ball for most of the game which allowed us to have a lot of possession.
“If we got an early goal, it could have been a different story but all credit to Blacktown… we just needed that one moment and that came from Béni in the second half.”
For Béni, scoring his first goal in competitive Australian soccer was a positive lift for him and the team ahead of the A-League season commencement.
“It was a good game, I think Blacktown played very well but we too played very well,” reflected N’Kololo post-match.
“We are happy after this result, we won the game and I think that’s most important for the club, the fans and the region.”
Now, the team prepare for the opening A-League fixture to be played at McDonald Jones Stadium against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, November 21.
CCN