any updates on that score?
Courtesy of Nick Guoth in Canberra, and http://www.back-of-the-net.com:
Mrdja progressing in Mariners win at Canberra
A-League Trial
5:30pm, 30 June 2007, McKellar Sports Centre, Canberra
Belconnen Blue Devils 0
lost to
Central Coast Mariners 4
(Adam Kwasnik 33', Damien Brown 38', Nik Mrdja 66' & 70')
The Central Coast Mariners made it through their penultimate trial match prior to the A-League Cup pre-season competition unscathed walking away with a 4-0 win over the Canberra Premier League side Belconnen Blue Devils. The Blue Devils, not a shine on the once proud NSW Premier League Champions, were no match for the Mariners and without the superb effort from their keeper, Ben Cheyne, the result could have been much worse.
Mariners coach Laurie McKinna was full of praise for Cheyne, who had just recently spent a full week training with his squad. But, more so, it was the fact that his team did keep Cheyne busy, that pleased McKinna more. "We had many chances tonight, but it was good to see so many on target."
The Mariners looked the goods early on and threatened through set pieces, yet the Blue Devils were able to keep the scorers quiet. For the home side, a lone shot from long distance to Stephen Kemp was all they could muster in the early period.
The break through came just after the half-hour mark. Andrew Clark made a dash down the left and his pull-back found Sasho Petrovski.
The attacker sent in a short cross for Kwasnik to sneak in from the right and head forcefully home. Only five minutes later, Damien Brown latched onto a long ball and headed over the advancing Cheyne.
With both sides making numerous changes at the break, it took some time for each to settle down. Twenty minutes in Nik Mrdja netted the first of his brace when he took advantage of poor defending after Mile Jedinak's header forward was missed by all. Mrdja's volley gave Cheyne no chance.
The Mariner's second came a few minutes later when the visitors opened up the Blue Devils defence and generated a two on one against Cheyne. Kwasnik accepted a cross-field ball from Jedinak and slid a short pass for Mrdja to slot into the empty net.
McKenna was very happy with Mrdja's progress and hopes he will be fully ready for the season. Also making his comeback after years on the sideline was young Joey defender Nigel Boogaard, which will please the Marriners coaching staff.
Both coaches were pleased with the performances and saw positives.
For the Mariners, they have one more hitout next weekend against Blacktown City in Sydney prior to the commencement of the PreSeason Cup tournament and are looking good to be a force this coming season.
Stats:
Belconnen Blue Devils 0
lost to
Central Coast Mariners 4
(Adam Kwasnik 33', Damien Brown 38', Nik Mrdja 66' & 70')
Crowd: Approx 1,100
Match Stats:
Belconnen Blue Devils: Ben Cheyne (Alex Connel 89'), Callum Beaton, Lee Pietrukowski (Phil Borgeaud 87')), Ben Barac, Cameron Reinhart, Daniel Macor (David Leet 45'), David Kemp, Matthew Grayson, Naru Somi (James Barac 45'), Adrian Dowling, Stephen Kemp (Daniel Hately 65')
Subs not used: Mark O"Neil, Lukasz Bednarek, Sam Wynn, Ryan Kypranou
Coach: Steve Foreshaw
Yellow cards: David Kemp 78'
Central Coast Mariners: Matthew Trott (Daniel Vukovic 45'), John
Hutchinson (Paul O'Grady 45'), Dean Heffernan (Andre Gumprecht 45'), Tom Pondeljak, Damien Brown, Tony Vidmar (Nik Mrdja 45'), Nigel Boogaard (Andrew Clark 45'), Matthew Osman (Mile Jedinak 45'), Alex Wilkinson, Adam Kwasnik, Sasho Petrovski (Ty Owens 75')
Subs not used: nil
Coach: Laurie McKinna
Yellow cards: Sasho Petrovksi 53'
Red cards: nil
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant referees: B. Wilson, G. Martin
Fourth official: L. O'Donoghue)
well have to scoot home for the match of the round away Kincumber ;D
