Wellington Phoenix 2 – 0 Central Coast Mariners

Mark Rudan’s side cruised to victory in the end, with first-half goals from Louis Fenton and Sarpreet Singh securing a comfortable 2 – 0 win. The Mariners started well but it was the Nix who landed the first blow as Fenton pounced on Adam Pearce’s poor parry from Mandi’s strike to tap-in the opener just nine minutes in.

Wellington wrestled back full control after that but it wasn’t until right before half-time that they doubled their advantage, as Roy Krishna was allowed time inside the box to turn and pick out Singh for a simple finish which ultimately secured the three points. The Phoenix now move into the top six after a string of impressive performances, while the Mariners continue to languish at the foot of the table having made the worst ever start by a team in A-League history.  

Wellington Phoenix

Filip Kurto – 7  

Looked very comfortable, as he has all season. However, he will be judged in games where he is more regularly tested. Made a top save to deny Shabow and preserve a clean sheet.

Louis Fenton – 7

Reacted quickest to Adam Pearce’s parry to give the Nix the lead just nine minutes in. Dealt with Pain and then Hoole very well and has made a terrific return from a bad run of injuries.

Steven Taylor – 7.5

Was unlucky not to make it 2 – 0 after finishing Alex Rufer’s cross from an offside position. If Wellington can continue this form up and Keisuke Honda can stop scoring, Taylor should be in the conversation for signing of the season because he has been absolutely superb.

Andrew Durante – 7.5

Mr Wellington did a great job on Matt Simon in the first-half, consistently beating him aerially as the Mariners piled on the crosses.

Michal Kopczynski – 7

Very solid alongside Taylor and Durante, as the three are developing a formidable defensive unit. Unfortunately had to come off at halftime after suffering a suspected hamstring injury.

Liberato Cacace – 7.5

Starting to adapt very well to his role as a wing-back, particularly in an attacking sense as he always makes himself available in transition. Both goals in the first half came from balls into a central area from the youngster.

Alex Rufer – 7.5

Always working hard at the base of the Phoenix midfield, Rufer is beginning to become an integral part of Mark Rudan’s system. If there is one criticism it would be to get into more advanced areas to score.

Mandi – 7

Was allowed all the time in the world to have a go from distance in the build-up to the opener. Showed great calmness in possession, although his theatrics which led to a booking for Aiden O’Neill in the first half need to be removed from his game.

Sarpreet Singh – 8

Struggled to get on the ball with space and time in the first half, but was still able to double the Phoenix lead after being given a lifetime in the box to simply pass the ball past Adam Pearce.

Roy Krishna – 9

As always he was constantly playing on the shoulder of the last defender and looking to get in behind. Showed fantastic awareness to unselfishly square the ball to Singh for an easy finish.

Nathan Burns – 8

Struggling to be ruthless when he gets into dangerous areas in and around the box, but is still working very well with Krishna and Singh in and out of possession.

SUBS

Thomas Doyle – 6

Slotted straight in to replace Kopczynski to very god effect, and if the Pole is injured next week he can come in and do a job.

David Williams – 6

All he had to do off the bench was keep up the pressing from the front which Burns did so well, and he did.

Max Burgess – N/A

Came on too late to get a rating.

Central Coast Mariners

Adam Pearce – 6.5

Should have done better then parrying the ball straight into the path of Fenton for an easy tap-in. Also had trouble sweeping balls over the top, as he panicked and clumsily sliced the ball out of play a couple of times.

Matthew Millar – 6.5

As he has in previous weeks, he always looks to get forward into advanced areas but his final ball his lacking quality. Probably should have halved the deficit at the start of the second half after firing over when he was in behind the Phoenix defence.

Jake McGing – 6

Was run rings around by Krishna all night, constantly having to be dragged out of position to chase him. Seems to do much better as a holding midfielder then in a back three.

Kalifa Cissé – 6

Was well off the pace in the first half, with some very slack passing and touch in key areas which led to Phoenix attacks. Should not have allowed Krishna to turn with such ease in the box in the build-up to Wellington’s second.

Kye Rowles – 6

Has been a shining light for most of the season so far, but tonight he was poor. Couldn’t deal with the pace of Krishna and Burns and his defending was generally clumsy.

Jack Clisby – 6.5

Constantly looked to swing crosses into the area, although they were of poor quality and made it easy for the likes of Taylor and Durante to clear. Also came close with a couple of decent free-kicks.

Jordan Murray – 6.5

Was right in the thick of the action from the start, and probably should have scored inside the first five minutes but fired over from a tight angle. Didn’t do too badly on his first ever A-League start.

Michael McGlinchey – 6

Struggled to have any sort of attacking influence on the match, as he constantly had to drop very deep to get on the ball.

Aiden O’Neill – 6

Lots of running and endeavour, but much like previous weeks just a real lack of quality which is not what you expect from someone on loan from a Premier League side.

Connor Pain – 7

Just like O’Neill, lots of invention and effort, but a lack of quality. He can be key to the Mariners turning things around but he needs others to be on the same wavelength.

Matt Simon – 6

Was able to use his aerial prowess really well in the early stages, winning many duels and knock downs to the likes of Pain and Murray. Continues to look like a one-trick pony as he needs to add more to his game than simply winning aerial duels and winding up defenders.

SUBS:

Andrew Hoole – 5.5

Struggled to have any sort of impact off the bench.

Josh Macdonald – 6

Came on to make his first appearance as a Mariner.

Mario Shabow – 6

Was very lively when coming on, could have scored from just outside the area after some neat build-up play but Kurto denied him well.