From Top To Bottom....

The last thing they wanted was a third consecutive week of referee brain explosions and men in suits sitting in rooms trying to figure out how to deal with it.

For the most part the FFA can breathe easy, despite a Friday night interview of Patricio Perez outside Bluetongue Stadium because of FFA directives. It was all very clandestine and all very unnecessary.

Despite that interview and a Kruse handball that went unpunished much to Arnold’s annoyance, the game went off without much drama.

Melbourne Victory may not agree as they dominated possession once again but failed to put anything on the scoreboard. 

Victory goal sneak Archie Thompson is sorely missed as they struggle to find a regular contributor on the scoreboard as Ricardinho’s appearance didn’t answer any of the questions arising from his signing.

The Mariners notch another win despite being unable to control the ball for extended periods of time.

Both Heart and Fury have bad memories from bad decisions at AAMI Park. Melbourne Heart must have been dreading the final minutes of this encounter as Fury searched for an equaliser and Heart were praying that the referee didn’t snatch the game out of their hands like last week.

It was not to be as Melbourne finally added three points to their tally. Fury suffered no reputation damage from the encounter, as they huffed and puffed but were unable to blow Heart’s house down.

The Adelaide-Sydney encounter did have a disallowed goal from a free kick to Paul Reid for a reason only apparent to the referee but there was no ill will as the Reds scored soon after that incident.

The drama revolving around Sydney continues as they have only taken one out of a possible nine points at home this season and they prop up the ladder.

If you had stated at the start of the season that this round five encounter between these two sides would be a top versus bottom scenario, no-one would have disagreed...but only with the teams reversed.

Newcastle Jets were hoping to put all the turmoil behind them and take to the pitch on Sunday hopefully using the drama to fuel them to victory. That wasn’t the case as a resurgent Roar outfit continued their run of clean sheets and staunch defending.

They still however have not produced a dependable scorer. The game itself produced a dubious yellow card to Solarzano for simulation as Milicevic clattered into his back. Zadkovich was sent off, but that was hardly controversial, rather than applicable.

Perth who were the recipients of a favorable decision in the previous round, didn't need one this time as they accounted for Wellington. Although they may enquire about the validity of an off side call against Mile Sterjovski. It was more of the same from Wellington who again fail to take any points away from home.

One thing is sure, controversy breeds more controversy, and the FFA will be hoping for some uneventful but attractive football in the near future.

Central Coast Mariners 2 (Griffiths 21', McBreen 50')
Melbourne Victory 0
Crowd: 6,829

Central Coast Mariners were hoping the controversy that was prevalent during the week revolving around their Argentinean import Perez would spur them on to a win against the always imposing Melbourne Victory.

It seems as though it had, as the drama galvanized the Mariners who undertook a siege mentality on and off the pitch. Victory, as is the norm in most games, dominated possession, but again that didn't help them as they failed to trouble young Mariners keeper Matt Ryan.

The Mariners continue to persevere with Ryan in goals despite the experienced Henderson waiting in the wings. Victory dominated early proceedings, but were unable to produce meaningful attempts at goal.

At the other end of the park Michael Petkovic looked increasingly shaky, spilling catches and looking lost. There was always the air of aggravation in the air as you would expect with a contest featuring Simon, McBreen, Muscat and Leijer.

It was almost predictable that despite Melbourne's dominance, Central Coast would score from a set piece and that's what did eventuate with Griffiths opening his Mariner account.

The half time break didn't help Victory's concentration at all as McBreen gave the Mariners their second goal of the night, nipping in ahead of Muscat with a diving header.

It was an all too familiar story for Victory as they were attempting to make the play at create opportunities but it was the opposing team dominating the scoreboard.

The introduction of Melbourne new boy Ricardinho didn't improve the outlook for Victory, as he spurned a wide open header.

Central Coast come away with the victory despite having trouble keeping meaningful possession of the ball, and Victory travel home with more questions than answers.

Man of the Match - Central Coast Mariners' defender Patrick Zwaanswijk was outstanding and really kept the Mariners in the game. In particular, his timing was spot on and he made a number of crucial interceptions for the CCM.

Weakest Player - In just eight minutes, Central Coast Mariners' Nik Mrdja managed to show everyone why he's benchwarming. Melbourne Victory's Kevin Muscat also had a poor game; many of his passes went wayward and he was beaten in the air by a younger Mariners front line. Match Ratings: Arabella Vaughan

Melbourne Heart 1 (Kalmar 11')
North Queensland Fury 0
Crowd: 4,184

The entertainers of the A-League North Queensland Fury returned to the scene of the crime at AAMI Stadium this time to face Heart.

In a surprise move Franz Straka started Chris Payne on the bench. Melbourne Heart welcomed Aloisi to their bench for this first time this season also.

Fury started out brightly as usual with Isaka Cernak launching an early attempt which stung Clint Bolton's palms. Sseppuya did little to enhance his reputation with a total mishit in front of goal.

North Queensland were set to rue not capitalising on their early dominance as Melbourne Heart took a short corner then sailed the ball to the back post where Kalmar directed a strong header into the back of the net.

It was if someone had flicked the switch on the Heart as they started to control the game. Matt Thompson hit a difficult volley which Justin Pasfield saved but as quickly as Melbourne came alive, they just as dramatically declined. Fury were unlucky not to equalize through Cernak who blasted wide of an open goal after some nifty interplay just outside of the box.

Fury continued to chase the game in the second half. Gareth Edds had his third attempt on goal saved by the rock steady Clint Bolton. Alex Terra and Behich both had solid attempts on goal but none were successful.

Chris Payne tried everything in his power to claw Fury back into the contest like they have on a couple of occasions this year but it wasn't meant to be. Melbourne finally got their first win as a club - which was a week later than it should have been.

Man of the Match - Melbourne Heart's Clint Bolton made some crucial saves and definitely proved that he's one of the league's top shot stoppers. Nick Kalmar was also a key man for the Heart; his distribution was fantastic and helped his team build some quality attacks.

Weakest Player - North Queensland Fury's Eugene Sseppuya never really got into the game, before being pulled off at half time. While effective off the bench in the past few weeks, he couldn't replicate his efforts after being rewarded with a starting berth. - AV

Sydney FC 1 (Keller 58')
Adelaide United 3 (Van Dijk 9' 53', Leckie 37')
Crowd: 7,558 

Sergio Van Dijk must wish he could play Sydney every week. He was a prolific scorer against the sky blues in orange and now he opened his account in red with Sydney again his victims.

In the ninth minute Van Dijk blasted a free kick over a dodgy Sydney wall and the game was all downhill from there for Sydney. Nicky Carle was the only offensive presence for a team in distress, his classy touches and dancing through the Adelaide defence.

Stephan Keller put his hand up to be counted as a goal scorer and did so with a glancing header in the second half, he also missed an open header as well. This pity was that Keller did his best work upfront, and he is employed to be a defender.

Sydney are missing two of their most essential components being McFlynn and Brosque both absent, but that is no excuse as they looked lost and void of any ideas often relying on a long lofted ball into attack as Adelaide sat deep and strangled any Sydney attack.

The introduction of Bruno, Sydney's latest savior couldn't provide any inspiration, although delivery into the strong forward left a lot to be desired.

Adelaide continued on their merry old way. They will hope that Sergio's brace may have awakened the sleeping goal scoring giant. Sergio's second was clinical and as Brisbane fans know, when he scores he usually scores in bunches.

Adelaide's second goal was set up via a beautiful pass from Reid to the galloping Leckie who dispatched the ball expertly. Adelaide's defence set up the victory as they cornered and suffocated any Sydney attack.

Paul Reid seems to be heading back to the form that earned him a Socceroo call up not too long ago. Sydney are in trouble, as Jamieson can attest to after being booed off when he was substituted.

Man of the Match - Adelaide United's Sergio Van Dijk kicked his season into gear with two well taken goals. His brace was just reward for clever interplay and strong ball retention.

Weakest Player - Sydney FC's Sebastian Ryall struggled to deal with the pace and movement of Adelaide's attacking quartet. Kofi Danning was another who failed to make an impact; unable to display his usual attacking threats. Match ratings - Mat Dorman

Newcastle Jets 0
Brisbane Roar 0
Crowd: 7,066

The controversy was circling Newcastle during the week ranging from inability to pay players, the dilemma if the game would even be played and even a training park dust up to throw into the mix.

They put all that behind them to grind out a nil-all draw with unbeaten Roar in Newcastle. The first half was vanilla as both teams were adapting to the 75 km/h wind that was behind the Jets. Newcastle were doing well to pass around the swarming Brisbane players.

Brisbane produced two clear chances in the first half, the first a ball that was chipped back to the front of the goal that was begging to be hit, but Broich waiting for the ball to bounce then Wehrman nipped in to defuse the play, the second to Barbourouses whose attempt was blocked by Topor-Stanley.

In retrospect this game had 0-0 written all over it as Roar have only scored two goals all season and the Jets one. Reinaldo started the second half on a bright note by hitting the cross bar from a corner whilst Topor-Stanley was all over him.

For the Jets Elrich flashed a cross in front of goal which Brockie launched himself at but just missed. Abbas entered the fray and after a million step overs brought a top shelf save out of Theoklitos to prevent a goal. As the game progressed, the more physical Newcastle got, with a cynical foul by Wehrman lucky to only get a yellow.

Zadkovich was not as lucky as he recieved a second yellow for a studs up challenge on DeVere and he can have little argument over the call. It was only a matter of time before all the talk of simulation infiltrated the referee's psyche as a yellow was produced for Roar new boy Solarzano despite having Milicevic in his back.

The incident was right on the heels of Sasho Petrovski blatantly diving to elicit a penalty. Brisbane finished with a flurry and were unlucky not to take all three points with efforts by Nichols and Broich wasted.

Man of the Match - An uninspiring match was typified by the dominance of the opposing defences. Newcastle Jet's Ben Kennedy and Brisbane Roar's Michael Theoklitos were both rewarded for their calmness between the posts; each earning a clean sheet.

Weakest Player - After an energetic opening, Newcastle Jet's Ruben Zadkovich let his side down by receiving a second yellow in the games' closing stages. Teammate Marko Jesic was unable to impose himself on the contest, often squandering possession and openings while Brisbane Roar'sKosta Barbarouses found himself in a similar position. - MD

Perth Glory 2 (Sterjovski 6', Fowler 61')
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Sigmund 72')
Crowd: 10,834

Wellington continued their search for an away win with the longest road trip in the league at Perth. Glory on the other hand were grinning like the Cheshire Cat after securing a point in Melbourne last week via some Baird theatrics.

No similar acts were required by Perth this week as they looked comfortable for 60 minutes of the match. They started very brightly and capitalised due to some Robbie Fowler left foot magic.

Collecting the ball inside Wellington's half, quickly turning and releasing Howarth with a sublime ball, he then gave Sterjovski no option but to put the ball in an open net.

Paul Ifill lashed an attempted equaliser only to be denied by Sekulovski on the goal line. As breathtaking as Fowler's skill was for the opening goal, he was left red faced later as he scuffed a shot at an open goal (admittedly the ball was played a little behind him) and the resulting loose ball was expertly saved by Mark Paston.

It was more of the same in the second half as Perth marched on. The second goal was always on the cards and arrived via a Sterjovski cross for Fowler to nod home.

Just as Perth were cruising Ben Sigmund put some interest back into the remainder of the game by scoring from a corner kick. Unfortunately for Wellington, despite a nifty around the corner shot by Greenacre that was well saved by Velaphi, they could not manage an equaliser and Perth earned all three points.

Man of the Match - A simple tap-in goal for Perth Glory's Mile Sterjovski was later added to with a classy assist for Glory's winner.

Weakest Player - The combinations of the Glory midfield proved too much to handle for Wellington Phoenix's Vince Lia. He often found himself swamped by numbers in the midfield and unable to find much time on the ball. - MD

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

3 - Mile STERJOVSKI

2 - Robbie FOWLER, Chris GREENACRE, Chris GROSSMAN, Paul IFILL, Branko JELIC, Nick KALMAR, Mathew LECKIE, Kevin MUSCAT, Chris PAYNE, Shane SMELTZ, Iain RAMSAY, Sergio VAN DIJK, David WILLIAMS