Special Feature: Kwabena hitting the back of the net for Parramatta FC

But Kwabena Appiah-Kubi is beginning to unleash on defenders and keepers throughout the state. The 20-year-old, who is contracted to the Central Coast Mariners? National Youth League squad, has scored four in his last two NSWPL outings and he?s hungry for more.
Appiah-Kubi says it?s no coincidence that he?s found goal scoring form.
“My finishing is improving, I?ve been working on it a fair bit,?? he said.
“I scored two against South Coast and two against Sutherland.
“It all turned around in the Cup when we defeated Dulwich Hill. We went to take a point down in Wollongong and we got our first win against the Sharks which people probably didn?t expect.??
But Appiah-Kubi knows his side aren?t there yet. There was frustration again mid-week when Parramatta was knocked out of the Waratah Cup after a 1-0 defeat to rivals Marconi.
“We had five chances to put Marconi away but our finishing was poor.?
The winger says he?ll continue to put in the hard yards to hone his shooting.
“I?ve been working a lot in my own time and with one of our coaches Tony Basha.
“A few weeks ago (Parramatta Manager) Lee Sterrey took me and Aaron Peterson aside and said our execution in the final third was lacking.
“So that?s when I decided to do extra work.??
Appiah-Kubi came to the NSW Premier League after a solid season in the National Youth League, winning the Premiership with the Mariners and bagging eight goals in eighteen games.
“My coach at the Mariners Tony Walmsley advised me to spend a season in the Premier League. There were a couple of clubs that showed interest but when Parramatta came in with a concrete offer I had no hesitation.
“I?ve lived in Parramatta since I moved to Australia and Lee Sterrey met up with me, told me what the club was about and what he wanted to do with it.
“I liked what I heard and so far I like what I see.
“It?s a good club, they treat us well and it?s just unlucky we?re not a bit higher up on the table.
“Lee is a very passionate coach and he gives it to us straight, but that builds character. He believes in us and pushes us and we want to start getting results to repay his faith in us.??
Appiah-Kubi believes the results will come as the squad matures.
“ We?re one of the youngest clubs in the league along with South Coast. I think our oldest player is 28, so it?s a very young squad. I think eight players in the first team are eligible for the under 20?s.??
Appiah-Kubi was forced to adjust fast to life in the NSW Premier League, but he said he?s managed his transition well.
 “The main difference between the NYL and the NSW Premier League is the physicality. I think the NYL is a little more technical while the NSWPL demands a lot more of the body.
“I had played Super League with Spirit FC and Granville Rage but the NSW Premier League is a step up.??
The former Marist College student was born in New Zealand to Ghanaian parents and moved to Australia when he was eight. He?s grown up playing football in western Sydney and caught the attention of the Mariners two years ago.
“I?ve really enjoyed my time on the Central Coast and it?s fantastic playing in that league. I want to go back next season and earn myself a contract and hopefully play in the A-League.??
 But the winger is relishing playing alongside his best friend Aaron Peterson up front for Parramatta.
“He?s set up three of my last four goals. I really enjoy playing in the same side as Aaron. We?re best mates, we trained together at the Mariners and it?s all instinctive when we play.
“We just click, we know each other?s strengths, where we?ll be on the field. We don?t have to say anything to each other.??
Appiah-Kubi?s goal for 2012 is to ensure that Parramatta can avoid relegation, so the club can build on its youthful squad and become a force to be reckoned with in the NSW Premier League.
“I think we can definitely avoid relegation, but it?s going to be a whole club effort. Hopefully the under 18s and under 20s can pull up and first grade can lead by example.??
And the winger, who prefers to play striker, has set himself a benchmark that he hopes to achieve in the remaining 13 regular season games.
“I want to score ten goals before the season is out. I want to go back to Mariners and show them how I?ve developed.??
League leaders Bonnyrigg will make it tough for Appiah-Kubi this weekend, but if he can keep up the form he?s had in the last two games, the 20-year-old will finish the season with many, many more.
-By Alex Zerafa