How Usain Bolt performed in Mariners debut
Usain Bolt made his professional footballing debut as Central Coast Mariners beat Central Coast Select 6-1 in front of 9958 fans in Gosford.
The Jamaican sprint star was unleashed by head coach Mike Mulvey in the 70th minute for Michael McGlinchey and took up a position on the left side of midfield.
READ: Bolt reflects on 'wonderful moment' after debut
BLOG: Re-live Bolt's Mariners debut
Bolt didn’t see much of the ball in his late cameo as players tired on both sides, however he was eager to make runs into the box and twice came close to connecting to crosses in the area.
He came close to a dream goal in stoppage time after bursting toward the back post but was unable to connect with a cross from fellow trialist Andrija Majdevac.
Earlier on, Jack Clisby’s brace was the highlight of a one-sided opening half that saw the Mariners run up a 5-0 advantage at the interval.
The left back opened the floodgates with a goal after 20 seconds before Michael McGlinchey, Peter Kekeris and Mario Shabow all got in on the first half rout.
Clisby’s bullet header saw the Mariners enter the sheds five goals to the good while new signing Josh Macdonald continued the onslaught with a back-post header early in the second half.
Tim Knight ensured Central Coast Select would not leave empty handed and curled in a free kick late in the second half, before Bolt took centre stage.
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3. Jack CLISBY, 5. Antony GOLEC, 8. Michael McGLINCHEY, 11. Connor PAIN, 17. Peter KEKERIS, 18. Matthew MILLAR, 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Kalifa CISSE, 22. Jacob MELLING, 23. Mario SHABOW,
Substitutes: 4. Jake McGING, 6. Tom HIARIEJ 12. Adam PEARCE (gk), 14. Adam BERRY, 15. Kye ROWLES 16. Josh MACDONALD 25. Jordan MURRAY, 26. Josh NISBET (academy), 27. Andrija MAJDEVAC (trialist), 95. Usain BOLT (trialist)
Unavailable: 2. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (rehab from ACL injury), 7. Andrew HOOLE (foot injury), 13. Aiden O’NEILL (thigh injury), 21. Corey GAMEIRO (injured – hamstring)
