By the Palm Trees – CCoast Mariners vs SC Wolves

It’s an historic occasion for the teams from Gosford and Wollongong as they lock horns in their first moments playing in the fledgling FFA Cup this Wednesday night in Wollongong. What a brilliant start the FFA Cup has had so far with fans of all sorts of clubs united in their enjoyment at the many round of 32 fixtures already completed. It started with a brilliant night of TV on FOX with each of four matches covered in “around the grounds” style and has continued with all manner of interesting clashes including the very first A-League team, Grand Finalists Western Sydney Wanderers, going out to State League opposition, Adelaide City. The only downside so far has been the limited TV coverage of matches, causing fans to scour the internet seeking live streams rather than sitting back enjoying the action with quality coverage. Social Media hype suggests universal acceptance of the “Cup” concept and on the surface of it has already begun breaking down old barriers.

For Central Coast Mariners fans it’s great to have the pre-season begin and brilliant to be preparing to head to our first competitive fixture in four months. 2014 has been a year of change at our great club. Significant changes in the clubs management promise to deliver a bright future but among the haze there is still a lot to be done before fans can feel confident the new direction is a positive one. Bad news continues to hover around the club with the Michael McGlinchey contract saga, changes to the Central Coast Mariners Academy Structure and renewed media speculation that owner Mike Charlesworth might not be in it for the long haul, just a few examples. It’s nothing new for CCM fans but it never fails to hit home that those who truly care about the future of our great club are not always in the clubs leadership. They’re from the back office, from the community and most of all From the Stands.

Wollongong Wolves had a proud history in Australian football, twice winning the A-League predecessor NSL competition, and there are more than a few parallels between the Mariner’s and Wolves with both having homes in regional areas crying for a professional sporting team to represent them on the national stage. While the Wolves remained successful on the pitch after their demise from the Australian top flight, winning the 2008 NSW Premier League,  in 2009 it was announced the club would cease to exist and a new “not for profit” community organisation was formed to ensure financial problems plaguing the club did not continue. Eventually the Wolves name was returned and this competition is the best opportunity yet for the now “South Coast” Wolves to show the world (and in particular the FFA) why their team, their people and their region deserve a place in the future of the A-League.

Leading into this week’s clash the Mariners have completed just one pre-season fixture, against CCM Academy last Tuesday night at Lisarow’s Pluim Park. In three 30 minute periods of football a quality crowd braved the terrible weather to see the main team run out 4-1 winners. With plenty of NYL trialists on show and the chance to see most of our bigger names pre-season progress, it was a great night. I’m not completely convinced it’s enough preparation for a match as important is this week’s FFA Cup fixture, but this is where Mossy has the chance to prove me wrong. Lacking sufficient “cutting edge” in the final third against the academy boys, the team were able to show us a quick and quality passing game in the mid field as well as some reasonably sharp fitness. Perhaps I had set my expectations a little lower but I came away encouraged by the performances of many of our key players.

After a slow start to the current season South Coast Wolves finished their IGA NPL season mid-table and have a handy record in Wollongong, winning six of their ten home fixtures this season so I don’t expect any easy rides for the visiting Mariners.

I personally can’t wait to see my team play their first FFA Cup match and I’m eagerly anticipating the away bus scooting me off to the game. My prediction is a decent turnout of locals for the game with the Mariners avoiding the fate of Western Sydney and easing past the Wolves in a close contest.

Mariners by 1