The Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners have fought out a 0-0 draw in a tense Hyundai A-League clash at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
The Phoenix were looking to turn around their poor start to the season, while the Mariners attempted to outhustle their opponents in what was a physical and combative encounter.
A flurry of cards saw three Phoenix and two Mariners players cautioned throughout the match as both sides attempted to impose their physical dominance on proceedings.
The Phoenix appeared nervous in the opening minutes, and gifted the first chance of the match to the Mariners in the fourth minute when a careless ball was given away by Tony Lochhead inside his own half.
A lovely crossed ball found Sasho Petrovski’s head and only a superb reflex save from Glen Moss prevented the Mariners from opening the scoring.
The Phoenix found their feet afterwards, and managed a number of forays into opposition territory.
However, it was the Mariners that had the next chance of the match on 17 minutes courtesy of a Mile Jedinak free kick.
His delightfully crafted attempt swerved beyond Moss and thumped into the upright.
Central Coast had two attempts in the follow up from close range, but Moss did well to spread his body and thwart the visitors.
In the final chance of the first half, Matthew Osman had a fierce drive parried away by Moss at his near post as the visitors found space and exploited the counter attack, leaving the match scoreless at the break.
The visitors started the second period brightly, and immediately applied pressure.
An incisive through ball in the 49th minute found John Hutchinson bearing down on goal but Moss and Andrew Durante combined well to successfully clear the danger.
The home side’s best chance came in the 63rd minute, as the match began to come alive.
A goal mouth scramble saw Mark Bosnich pull off a brilliant reaction save from Troy Hearfield’s five-yard effort, while Vaughn Coveny glanced a header wide just moments later.
Hutchinson went close in the 65th minute after some good work from Osman down the left. His left foot shot flew across the face of goal but was unable to find the net.
Andrew Clark had a good attempt on goal in the 81st minute when he volleyed a half-cleared header from 20 yards out.
However, Moss was again the hero for the home side with a brilliant save down low to his right.
A number of niggling fouls occurred towards the end of the match as both sides showed frustration.
But despite a host of chances late in the match, the game remained deadlocked.
Wellington Phoenix 0
Central Coast Mariners 0
