Wellington Phoenix’s slim finals hopes remain alive following a comprehensive 5-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium on Sunday night.
An understrength Phoenix outfit netted twice in the first half through Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler before a Matthew Ridenton strike, an own goal from Jason Hoffman and a goal to Roly Bonevacia sealed a huge win for the hosts.
After an open start to the contest, Wellington took control of the contest with two goals in 13 minutes giving Des Buckingham’s side a comfortable lead at the interval.
The hosts continued to dominate after the break and all but sealed the result just three minutes into the second stanza with substitute Matthew Ridenton grabbing Phoenix’s third goal.
A horror own-goal from Jets defender Jason Hoffman midway through the half made it worse for the visitors before Roly Bonevacia capped off a fine display with a well-taken strike in the dying minutes.
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GOALS
1-0 Wellington Phoenix: Kosta Barbarouses, 24’
The Kiwi found space down the right flank and drove towards goal, turning Jets defender Lachlan Jackson inside out before firing a powerful strike into the bottom corner.
2-0 Wellington Phoenix: Gui Finkler, 37’
Barbarouses was afforded too much space on the left with the winger delivering an inviting cross into the box which found Finkler who buried a clinical header.
3-0 Wellington Phoenix: Matthew Ridenton, 49’
Newcastle failed to clear following a Phoenix corner with Ridenton pouncing on the loose ball to fire a thumping strike into the back of the net.
4-0 Wellington Phoenix: Jason Hoffman (OG), 66’
Phoenix striker Hamish Watson fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal with Hoffman inadvertently sticking a leg out to deflect the ball into his own net.
5-0 Wellington Phoenix: Roly Bonevacia, 86’
The midfielder received the ball just inside the area and fired a low drive towards goal which took a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom corner.
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