The Mariners were able to show an attacking intent against the current ACT Premier League leader and league champion.

They grabbed the lead on 18 minutes through Kwasnik, who poached a close range effort after Canberra keeper Ben Klug parried the ball into his path.

The lead was doubled moments before the break when Brad Porter and Kwasnik linked for the second time in the game to make it 2-0.

Porter's cross from the right was perfect for Kwasnik to head home.

The 27-year-old completed his hat trick eight minutes into the second half when striker partner Daniel McBreen put in a cross from the left which Kwasnik sent back across the keeper to make it 3-0.

Kwasnik was pleased post-game and paid tribute to his teammates.
 
"The boys tonight put three goals on a plate for me and I really appreciate it, and like I said we had a good hit out and got the win that we wanted," he said.

Moments later, McBreen got on the score sheet from the penalty spot, converting after youngster Mustafa Amini was brought down. 

The substitutions slowed down the tempo of the game, with Arnold opting to play with 10 men for a period of time for his players to learn to adapt to different scenarios.

The new boss was happy with the look of some of the club's youngsters.
 
"There were a lot of young boys I hadn't seen much of in the last couple of months I had been away and I was happy," Arnold said.

"We only worked on our midfield shape this morning with a narrow diamond and it was quite good.

The former Socceroos boss also praised the depth of his squad

He added: "We had six or seven players sitting in the dressing room who are normally first team players, so the depth of the squad has improved a lot.

"I thought the overall attitude and intensity was very good,"

The Mariners will play again on Wednesday night with Arnold predicting a host of changes to get game time into other players.

He thanked the people of Canberra and the football governing body of the ACT, Capital Football.


Canberra FC 0
Central Coast Mariners 4 (Kwasnik 18', 36', 53', McBreen 54')
 
Canberra FC: 18. Ben KLUG (GK) (1. Adam PERAKOVIC (GK) 52'), 4. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 5. John GLASS (7. Guuven CAN 77'), 6. Alex CASTRO (13. Ryan KIER 67'), 8. Matt GRBESA, 9. Michael SPALETA (10. Steve LEE 55'), 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 14. Josipa JADRIC (15. Danai GAPARE 55'), 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 22. John ISON (12. Sam GAGOLWIOS 67').
 
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mathew RYAN (GK), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE (15. Marc WARREN 60'), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 21. Sam GALLAGHER, 22. Mustafa AMINI (6. Rory FEELY 60'), 23. Adam KWASNIK.