Wanderers 2 Mariners 3 | Match Report - Western Sydney Wanderers

NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers continued their preparations with a good performance against Central Coast Mariners at C.ex Coffs International Stadium tonight.

The first half saw the Red & Black hold a significant advantage in both possession and territory with the best chances coming from a trio of free-kicks to Golgol Mebrahtu after Mitch Nichols was felled just outside the box three times.

A host of changes at half time meant a young side played the second 45 and they were slow to start as the Mariners’ Daniel Heffernan scored a hat-trick in four minutes.

The entry of Romeo Castelen was the fire the Red & Black needed and he netted his second-consecutive pre-season goal shortly after.

Trialist Josh Macdonald also scored to narrow the deficit but a barrage of chances in the final ten minutes wasn’t enough to get the draw.

It was a good, competitive hit-out before Tuesday’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 match against Brisbane Roar at Pepper Stadium, Penrith.

For a full play-by-play summary please click here.

First Half Line-up: Andrew Redmayne (GK), Scott Jamieson, Brendan Hamill, Daniel Alessi, Scott Neville, Andreu, Jacob Pepper, Mitch Nichols, Jaushua Sotirio, Golgol Mebrahtu, Mark Bridge (C)

Second Half Line-up: Dean Bouzanis (GK), Alusine Fofanah, Cohan Morris, Lachlan Campbell, Jacob Pepper, Liam Youlley, Kearyn Baccus (C), Mario Shabow, Jaushua Sotirio (Romeo Castelen), Josh Macdonald, Jonathan Grozdanovski

Unused Substitutes: Jonathan Aspro