Mariners need striker to step forward

Updated January 05, 2012 16:22:49

Coach Graham Arnold has a clutch of options to weigh up for the Central Coast Mariners' vacant striker berth after Matt Simon's grand sign-off.

South Korea-bound Simon highlighted the size of the gap he is leaving at the A-League ladder leaders when he farewelled the club by scoring both goals in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory.

But Arnold is not short of choices to replace him, starting with Sunday's away clash with Sydney FC.

Adam Kwasnik and Daniel McBreen both have lots of experience playing up front, while youth league players Mitchell Duke and Kwabena Appiah Kubi are highly regarded.

Highlighting the Mariners' depth, Arnold could also choose to play versatile Troy Hearfield up front in partnership with the electric Bernie Ibini.

The 24-year-old Hearfield, a former Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets player, has mainly been used as an impact player off the bench this season.

But he has impressed with some stellar performances in recent weeks and was rewarded with his first start of the season against the Victory in his 100th A-League appearance.

"Graham Arnold has shown a lot of faith in me, and it was great to get my first start for the club," Hearfield said.

"It was fantastic for Matty Simon to go out like that. He couldn't have asked for anything more."

Hearfield and Simon struck up a promising combination when they had the opportunity to play together, assisting each other to important goals through the Mariners' current unbeaten streak.

"It's been great to play with Matty but now he is gone and, as a team, we will have to adjust,"

"Bernie is great young player and the challenge is to try and get a partnership with someone else in the team."

Hearfield believes the culture and close friendship at the Mariners has been a key factor in achieving their lofty position on the ladder.

"It's a tight-knit group and a positive environment which starts from the top," Hearfield said.

"Graham Arnold and the coaching staff know what they want from the team."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted January 05, 2012 16:12:00

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Man Utd signs England forward Young

Updated June 24, 2011 07:58:00

Premier League champions Manchester United continued their close-season restructuring and acquisition of home-grown talent by signing Aston Villa and England forward Ashley Young overnight.

Young, who agreed a five-year contract in a deal estimated to be worth around 15 million pounds ($22.8m), is manager Alex Ferguson's second June buy.

The United boss is bidding to strengthen his ranks following last season's 19th Premier League title and Champions League final appearance in which they were largely outclassed by a rampant Barcelona side.

The 25-year-old winger, who can also play as a second striker, joins England under-21 defender Phil Jones, who moved to United from Blackburn Rovers in another big-money move earlier this month.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young," the club said in a statement on their website.

"The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract."

Young joined Villa from Watford in 2007 and has since built a reputation as a consistent Premier League performer with an impressive change of pace and an eye for a pass.

"The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down," Young told the club website.

"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child."

- Reuters

Tags: sport, football, english-premier-league, united-kingdom, england

First posted June 24, 2011 06:51:00

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Victory looking forward to Celtic friendly

Posted May 18, 2011 14:00:00

Melbourne Victory players will be under the microscope from the opening whistle as they start their preseason with a match against Scottish powerhouse Celtic.

The Victory will be only back at training for just over a week - under a still-to-be-appointed new coach - when they face the 42-time Scottish champions.

Celtic will open its three-match tour against Central Coast Mariners at the Olympic stadium in Sydney on July 2, Perth Glory a week later and Victory in front of what is expected to be a full house at AAMI Park on July 13.

It is the second time in three years that Neil Lennon's team has visited Australia, having played a friendly in 2009 against Brisbane in front of 30,000 fans.

Only a week after being bundled out of the Asian Champions League, Victory skipper Adrian Leijer is already looking forward to the new season and taking on the former European champions.

"For us guys in Australia it's fantastic to play against a team ranked pretty highly in the world of soccer that's got a fantastic history," he said.

"They've got some good players, a proud history and they're a well-known team in Australia and I think a lot of people will turn out to watch them."

Leijer said the timing of the match meant players needed to be "on their toes" in the off-season, particularly with a new coach at the helm.

The Victory are yet to confirm a replacement for sacked coach Ernie Merrick, with caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic still in the running.

Club director Ian McLeod is believed to be in Britain interviewing a handful of other candidates.

Leijer says the club has been playing good football under Durakovic.

"I think we've shown in the past month we've played good football so if they go down the Mem (Durakovic) line it's completely up to them," he said.

"Mem's done a very good job but I'm not sure what the board's thinking.

"It's an exciting time for the club, there's a lot of changes and our first hit-out under a new regime will be against Celtic, so it doesn't get much bigger."

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, australia

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