CONFIDENCE is important for any sporting team, and the good news for the Western NSW Mariners is they will carry that quality into this year’s FFA Cup.
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Last Saturday night in the second round of the NSW Men’s National Premier Leagues 3 competition, the Mariners picked up a 1-all draw against Granville Rage.
That win not only came after the Mariners went down 5-1 in their season opener, but away from home and with an under strength squad.
They just kept pounding us, but the boys were just really resilient.
- Western Mariners skipper Adam Scimone
It added to earlier 3-0 wins from the under 20s and under 18s at Valentine Sports Park, giving the Mariners players a good shot of confidence.
“It’s hard to come off a 5-1 thumping and reset our season, but that’s what we did,” Mariners first grade skipper Adam Scimone said.
“It was just a great effort from the whole club, it’s a big confidence boost to basically get maximum points in the club championship away from home.”
The Mariners will be hot favourites for Wednesday night’s away FFA Cup match against Glenhaven FC, a team which plays in a lower tier league.
But Scimone is taking nothing for granted in the national club competition.
“We are certainly confident for that match, but I guess you can’t take any team lightly. In a cup game anything can happen,” he said.
On Saturday against Rage, the Mariners showed they can absorb pressure.
After conceding in the first half when under siege, Andrew Smith set up a tap-in equaliser for Nathan Davis with around 20 minutes to play.
“They came out all guns blazing and really pressed us,” Scimone said.
“They just kept pounding us, but the boys were just really resilient.”
