A depleted Wellington Phoenix have notched back-to-back wins following a 2-0 triumph over the Central Coast Mariners at GIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Two goals in seven minutes after the break secured the points in blustery conditions, with Roy Krishna netting the opener and laying the second on a platter for teammate Hamish Watson.
The Mariners committed plenty of numbers forward late on, with Roy O’Donovan twice going close to pegging a goal back but they were unable to find a way past Phoenix goalkeeper Lewis Italiano.
The three points sees the Phoenix leapfrog Paul Okon’s side and move into seventh, while the Mariners remain ninth and will look to turn things around in next week’s F3 Derby.
GOALS
0-1 Wellington Phoenix: Roy Krishna, 49’
A clever ball over the top from Watson in the centre of the park found Krishna in plenty of space. The Fijian striker used his electric pace to round Izzo and was able to turn home from an acute angle.
0-2 Wellington Phoenix: Hamish Watson, 56’
Gui Finkler unlocked the Mariners defence with an exquisite pass in behind to a charging Krishna. The 29-year-old unselfishly squared the ball to Watson who was able to fire into an empty net.
OPTA DATA
- The three points was Ernie Merrick’s 100th win in the Hyundai A-League – becoming the first coach to reach triple figures in the league’s history.
- The Mariners’ wait for a cleansheet goes on, with the Gosford outfit now unable to keep their opposition scoreless in their last 35 league outings.
HIGHLIGHT
Gui Finkler came close to opening the scoring when he rattled the woodwork with an audacious long range free-kick just before the break. The deadball specialist had Izzo beaten, with the goalkeeper’s near post sparing his blushes.
INJURY WARD
Scott Galloway made an early exit for Mariners midway through the first-half with a hamstring strain. Michael Neill was his replacement. Fellow defender Jacques Faty needed heavy strapping to see out the contest and will need to be assessed.
ATTENDANCE
5497 @ GIO Stadium
Re-live the match on Twitter
@ALeague, @CCMariners, @WgtnPhoenixFC, #CCMvWEL
