Central Coast youngsters crush United

The Central Coast Mariners showed why they are considered a genuine chance for the Hyundai A-League title with a crushing 3-1 over Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Wednesday night.

The victory has cemented second spot for the Mariners after a strong surge of form in the backend of the season. In contrast Gold Coast United now faces an uphill battle to finish third with tough games against Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory ahead.

It was the Mariners youngsters who did the damage at Skilled Park with Bernie Ibini-Isei, Mustafa Amini, and debutant Mitchell Duke all getting on the scoresheet.

Shane Smeltz scored a consolation goal for United late in the match. Smeltz was the main focal point in attack for the injury ravaged Gold Coast in the absence of key players Bruce Djite, Jason Culina, James Brown and Joel Porter.

Gold Coast started the better of the two sides dominating the early exchanges of the game, but in the wake of a busy schedule fatigue eventually caught up to United’s men who gave a pedestrian performance.

The Mariners ensure it would be a long night for the Gold Coast players when forward Ibini-Isei opened the scoring against the run of play in the 13th minute.

Influential fullback Joshua Rose’s surged into the box before his precise cross found the Nigerian born youngster who was easily able to finish from five metres.

Rose was again the architect for the Mariners second goal in the 40th minute when his deep cross was hastily cleared by Gold Coast defender Adama Traore.

The Ivoirian’s tame clearance fell kindly to Mariners playmaker Mustafa Amini who guided the ball past goalkeeper Glen Moss into the back of the net from twenty metres.

Mitchell Duke took the field in the 58th minute and he ensured he had a match to remember when he effectively sealed three points for the Mariners with a goal just nine minutes into his debut.

Former Reading player Oliver Bozanic clever through ball found Duke who made no mistake with his finish easily guiding the ball past Moss from just inside the box.

Gold Coast ensured the small crowd of 2,037 had something to cheer about late on when Smeltz found the back of the net in the 84th minute.

The New Zealand international easily fired home leaving young Mariners goalkeeper Matthew Ryan with no chance.