Our NPL NSW side was on the wrong end of a high-scoring match, losing 5-3 to the Central Coast Mariners at home in midweek.
Whilst Marcus Younis starred for the Red and Black with two goals and an assist, the visitors were helped by a standout performance by goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky at one end, and clinical finishing at the other.
The Mariners put the Wanderers under pressure to begin the game, but the home side scored with their first chance of the game, as Younis got on the end of a great Dylan Scicluna pass before slotting the ball past Warshawsky after 12 minutes.
The Mariners equalised from the spot through Donatien Niyonkuru just before the half hour mark, before the Wanderers peppered the Mariners goals before the break.
But despite the best efforts of Younis, Ryan Devine and Phil Gigliotti, Warshawsky was equal to the efforts and made great saves.
The Mariners took full advantage after the break, scoring in the 47th minute with an Arthur De Lima strike.
The Wanderers hit back quickly, though, as the Younis-Scicluna combination struck again; the latter’s cross fell at the feet of the winger, and his first time finish arrowed into the top corner.
The Red and Black couldn’t use the momentum, though, and Niyonkuru grabbed his second after rounding Lucas Sinnott and scoring into an open goal.
As the Wanderers pushed forward for an equaliser, the Mariners utilised their pace and scored a fourth as Nicholas Duarte cut inside and finished into the far post.
A late fightback looked like it was on just before stoppage time as Rushonn Tafunai scored his maiden first grade goal after heading home from a Younis cross, but another Mariners counter-attack led to a last-man foul by Evangelos Kalamvokis, seeing the substitute given a straight red.
The Mariners then put the game to bed with a Prayaag Thapa goal right at the end of the match.
The Wanderers next travel to face NWS Spirit on Saturday evening.
