The Central Coast Mariners have turned in their best performance of the pre-season to trump ACT Premier League frontrunners Belconnen United 4-0 on a frosty evening at the Belconnen Soccer Centre tonight.

First half strikes from Adam Kwasnik and Damien Brown, combined with Nik Mrdja’s second half brace, saw the Mariners home against the capital’s in form club side who although spirited in their play, failed to test Central Coast custodians Matthew Trott and Danny Vukovic with any regularity.

On the outstanding Belconnen playing surface, the Mariners at times performed at their dynamic best, with midfield ace Tom Pondeljak particularly influential throughout.

Football Manager Lawrie McKinna used eighteen players in total, including trialist Ty Owens, with only injured or ill midfielders Greg Owens and Bradley Porter absent, along with striker Matt Simon, who missed the match through commitments with the Central Coast Lightning.

"We kept the ball well and everybody did their part – their goalkeeper has to be the man of the match," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.

"Overall it was a great night – a great crowd in freezing cold conditions, but our boys played with professionalism, handled themselves well, kept the ball moving and created a lot of chances."

Kwasnik opened the scoring on the half hour, ending a dogged period of resistance from the home side.

Kwasnik, now the Mariners’ all-time top goal scorer in trial matches, was on hand to nod home fellow goal scorer Brown’s cross, after an inventive run from defence by Dean Heffernan, who was making his first appearance in yellow and navy since the inaugural Hyundai A-League Grand Final.

Brown doubled the visitors’ advantage only minutes later, beating standout Belconnen shot stopper Ben Cheyne to a delightful through ball from Pondeljak to chip home from the edge of the penalty area.

After six half time changes, the Mariners added to their tally through striker Mrdja, whose two goals in the city he once called home were fitting reward for his telling second half display.

Mrdja was quickest to react to a through ball in the 65th minute – producing a stunning volley to put the Central Coast up by three, before adding another just four minutes later after Kwasnik supplied the final pass.

"Tom Pondeljak, especially in the first half, was outstanding – his runs from midfield were great," said McKinna.

"Browny and Osman were getting into goal scoring positions from wide, Kwasnik was a danger and Sasho, everything that came to his feet he made something happen, overall our strike options were good.

"Viddie was outstanding at the back – it was a good night and the game was played in good spirits."

The Mariners next take on recently crowned NSW Premier League Minor Premiers Blacktown City at the Fairfax Community Stadium on Saturday, 7 July. Kick off is at 5.30pm.

The Mariners’ trial against Blacktown will be their last before the start of the 2007 Pre-Season Cup, which begins with the visit of Hyundai A-League newcomers the Wellington Phoenix to Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium on Saturday, 14 July. Kick off is at 6pm.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners Matthew Trott (gk) (Danny Vukovic (gk) 46’), John Hutchinson (Andre Gumprecht 46’), Dean Heffernan (Andrew Clark 46’), Tom Pondeljak, Damien Brown, Tony Vidmar (Paul O’Grady 46’), Nigel Boogaard (Nik Mrdja 46’), Matthew Osman (Mile Jedinak 46’), Alex Wilkinson, Adam Kwasnik, Sasho Petrovski (Ty Owens 75’)

Yellow Cards Petrovski 53’
Red Cards None

Goals Kwasnik 31’, Brown 37’, Mrdja 65’, 69’

Belconnen United Ben Cheyne (gk), Call Beaton, Lee Pietrukowski, Cam Reinhart, Daniel Macor, David Kemp, Matt Grayson, Nauru Somi, Adrian Dowling, Steve Kemp

Substitutes Alex Connell (gk), Phil Borgeaud, Mark O’Neil, Danny Hately, David Leet, Lukasz Bednarek, Sam Wynn, Ryan Kyprianou, James Barac

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None

Goals None