SOCCER
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WESTERN NSW Mariners FC are continuing to ask questions of the big guns of the men’s State League 1 competition, this time managing a 1-all draw against competition leaders Hills Brumbies at Proctor Park on Saturday night.
A goal from Kane Hughes saw the Mariners split the points after they had gone into the half-time break down a goal.
The result extends the Mariners’ unbeaten run to four matches in State League, a pair of wins and two draws seeing them sitting in fourth on the ladder. They are on equal competition points with third-placed Rydalmere, but the Lions boast a better for and against.
This time last year, the Mariners had one win and two draws from nine rounds. In 2015 they have only had two losses thus far.
Mariners captain Adam Scimone said the result sends a reminder to their rivals that the Central West side are contenders.
“We probably could have pinched something towards the end there, but it was good to keep in touch with the top of the table. If we can keep this going then we’re going to be playing finals football,” he said.
“Everyone was really happy with the result. I think we expected them to be a little bit stronger, but they’re used to playing on synthetic pitches and it was pretty cold out there [on Saturday night] which helps us too. That result keeps us up in that top three, which is great.”
Chances were hard to come by throughout the match, which was highlighted by solid defence.
After holding out the Brumbies for the opening half hour, the Mariners cracked as Hills defender Ryan Faulkner scored a rare goal.
However, the Mariners changed their structure in the second half and proved harder to break down. They also created several chances of their own.
Hughes was able to take one of those, levelling things up when he found the mark from point blank range.
“Both sides respected each other probably a little too much and I think both will be unhappy with the draw,” Scimone said.
“They have five or six Australian Futsal representatives, so they knew how to move the ball well. We managed to frustrate them for a long time and not give them many chances inside with the ball.
“We’ve got a couple of tough games coming up now with Stanmore and North Shore, who are coming fourth and second, over the next two weeks. Our boys are really starting to gel now and the guys from England, Kane and Charlie [McDonald Bailey], have really helped strengthen our back line.”
WESTERN NSW MARINERS FC 1 (Kane Hughes) drew with HILLS BRUMBIES 1 (Ryan Faulkner)