Wellington Phoenix were in fine form heading into their clash with Central Coast Mariners but Head Coach, Mark Rudan knew consistency was the key.
They began as they had left off against Sydney, on the front foot. Roy Krishna was looking to leap into action as he searched for a way in behind the Central Coast backline only to be ruled for offside.
The first goal came on the 9th minute when Mandi Sosa released a rasping shot at goalkeeper Adam Pearce who could only parry the shot into the path of Louis Fenton.
The full back placed his shot past the Coast keeper and into the net to provide his team with the lead.
Wellington Phoenix dominated the New South Wales club in all areas as the backline of Andrew Durante, Steven Taylor and Michal Kopćzynski never looked troubled.
Taylor thought he managed to score his second Hyundai A-League goal if not for an offside call that ruined the celebrations.
The break was fast approaching as Krishna and Nathan Burns combined well on the edge of the box with the former laying off to Sarpreet Singh who found himself free in the 18-yard box. Singh had time to take a touch and pass it beyond the onrushing Pearce.
The Wellington Phoenix crowd were in full voice as the team headed out for the second half with Rudan making a change as Kopczyński came off for Tom Doyle.
Central Coast Mariners rarely threatened, and it wasn’t until the 80th minute that the returning Filip Kurto was challenged, making a great save to deny Mario Shabow from distance.
Despite a few chances for the Wellington Phoenix, Central Coast were lucky to keep the score line the same in the second half.
Goal scorer Singh left the field to a massive applause from the adoring crowd as Wellington Phoenix kept all three points at Westpac Stadium.
Full-Time Highlights here.
FULL TIME | #Nix keep all three points here at @WestpacStadium after another fantastic performance against @CCMariners
Grab your tickets for next weekend ? https://t.co/N2ObAVmrF3#StandUpWithYourNix #CreateHistory #WELvCCM pic.twitter.com/nuRQTSVQ4U
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) December 15, 2018
Starting XI
1.Filip KURTO, 4. Mandi SOSA, 9. Nathan BURNS, 13. Liberate CACACE, 14. Alex RUFER, 15. Michal KOPCZYNSKI 16. Louis FENTON, 18. Sarpreet SINGH, 21. Roy KRISHNA, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 27. Steven TAYLOR
Wellington Phoenix Substitutions
46’ OFF 15. Michal KOPCZYŃSKI ON 19. Thomas DOYLE
76’ OFF 9. Nathan BURNS ON 11. David WILLIAMS
90’ OFF 18. Sarpreet SINGH ON 23. Max BURGESS
Central Coast Marriners Substitutions
63’ OFF 13. Aidan O’NEILL ON 7. Andrew HOOLE
72’ OFF 3. Jack CLISBY ON 16. Joshua MACDONALD
72′ OFF 8. Michael MCGLINCHEY ON. 23. Mario SHABOW
Next Match Details
Wellington Phoenix vs. Brisbane Road, Saturday 22nd December 2018, 7:35pm, Westpac Stadium
