Mitchell Duke bagged a first half brace to launch Central Coast Mariners to a 4-0 defeat of Perth Glory in the National Youth League R19 game at Pluim Park, Lisarow, on Saturday.

After an initial shot was well saved, Duke who was on hand to drive the ball home in only the 5th minute. The goal triggered an avalanche of first half opportunities for the home side, but after the break the home team eased off which gave the visitors a few chances in the second but they never looked like letting the game slip away.

Under sustained pressure from a ruthless Mariners attack, and on the wrong end of a possession count, the Perth defence eventually crumbled in the 24th minute. Duke provided a defence-splitting pass from the right flank, which found his captain Sam Munro lurking in support. Munro continued the movement before unleashing a powerful strike. The midfielder thought he had done enough to double the Mariners lead, and he had, unfortunately for him the ball had deflected off defender Luke Johnston and an own goal was ruled.

Duke got his second when he knocked the ball past with his head past the charging ‘keeper and a defender before calmly slotting the ball home from the left for a deserved brace.

In the end the Mariners would get that elusive goal, and it fell to the captain Sam Munro in the 86th minute. Lively substitute Max Glanville showed great presence of mind, and strength to ride a challenge in the box before crossing to Matt Lewis. The resulting shot was blocked, but only as far as Ibini-Isei who drove it again into a mass of Perth defenders. It was a case of third time lucky for the Mariners, with Munro making no mistake with the final rebound of the movement, driving the ball home for the fourth goal.

Mariners NYL coach Tony Walmsley was reported after the game, saying "With the short turnaround for the Brisbane game on Tuesday we wanted to keep our pointy end fresh so we took off Fitzy and Dukey, and told our midfielders to be mindful of the energy they were using. Consequently Perth were able to get more possession in that second half without really hurting us. The target today was a clean-sheet. We re-set our goals after that disappointing loss last week to Adelaide, and today was the first step in our last five games".

"I think in terms of all-round contribution from everyone across the park it was one of the best first halves we’ve played this season.” “The first half was absolutely outstanding, and in the second half we did what we had to do,” said Walmsley.