Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Palm Beach’s 2014 Westfield FFA Cup dream is over after falling 5-0 to Central Coast Mariners at Cbus Super Stadium on Tuesday night.

A stellar four-goal cameo from substitute Matt Sim did the bulk of the damage for the former Hyundai A-League Champions, adding to a first half strike from Isaka Cernak.

Both sides struggled for genuine chances in the opening exchanges , however Mariners dominated possession from the outset.

Despite the early pressure the Sharks defenders offered their opponents few chances until Glen Trifiro forced Shane Vitakangas to save at his near post on 17 minutes.

A pair of corner kicks followed and Vitakangas was again on hand to from the second, denying Cernak’s timid header from close range.

The momentum remained with Mariners and the host’s task became more difficult on 25 minutes when winger Daniel Dragicevic came off after aggravating a hamstring injury sustained in Sharks’ PlayStation 4 NPL Grand Final win over Olympic FC in September

Three minutes later Mariners made their domination tell on the scoreboard when Cernak delivered a composed finish on the angle after being played in by Trifiro following a series of quick passes.

Mariners continued to see the better of possession and position while Palm Beach threaten intermittently on the counter attack.

The host's best chance came five minutes from the break when Karl Dodd nodded on Chris Lucas’ corner kick, however the ball eluded a host of Sharks players as it fizzed across the face of goal.

The second half began like the first as both defences remained stubbornly well-organised and offered few scoring chances.

Palm Beach midfielder Troy Ruthven delivered the first shot on target of the half on 68 minutes, driving his attempt from 20 yards directly at Mariners goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

Mariners were spurred back into action and threatened from Trifiro’s free-kick shortly after as Bosnar headed wide of the target.

However, it was the introduction of substitute Matt Sim on 71 minutes that ultimately secured Mariners the win.

The attacking midfielder opened his tally only seconds after after entering the fray – pouncing on a fumble from Vitikangas when the Sharks gloveman denied an initial strike from Trifiro.

Palm Beach continued to battle valiantly, with skipper Justyn McKay coming close with an audacious long-range chip, before Mariners effectivelysealed the win with fifteen minutes remaining as Sim slotted his second after outpacing veteran Sharks defender Kristian Rees.

The goal put paid to any remaining hopes of a Sharks upset before Sim steered home another parried save from Vitakangas for his third goal, the initial shot this time coming from Nick Fitzgerald.

Sim then rubbed further salt into Sharks’ wounds in time added on, shaking the attentions of two scrambling defenders before delivering another composed finish to secure his four goal haul.

The result marks the end of a successful season for Palm Beach after the Gold Coast club won both the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership and Championship titles, and advanced to the Semi Final of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series.

By qualifying for the Quarter Final they also progressed further than any other Queensland club in the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.

Palm Beach Sharks 0
Mariners 5 (Isaka CERNAK 28’, Matt SIM 72’ 75’ 90’ 90+2’)

Attendance: 2035