FOOTBALL
The Central Coast Mariners are back in the hunt for the A-League top six after a prolific and perfectly paced victory against Wellington Phoenix, Sunday April 17.
The Wellington crowd welcomed home their squad to Sky Stadium after 322 days of relocation in Sydney, yet it was the Mariners who stole the Easter Sunday show with four unanswered goals leaving long awaiting home fans stunned.
Similar to their 5-0 win over Phoenix earlier in the month, the Mariners prevailed by soaking-up early pressure, establishing the lead, then sealing the result with multiple second half goals, crippling for their opposition’s hopes.
For the Mariners, accolades were again shared amongst four separate goal scorers.
The early attacking enthusiasm came from Phoenix, first testing goalkeeper, Mark Birighitti in the 25th minute with a close-quarter strike across goal.
The Mariners responded with a quickly formed counter attack, first clearing the ball wide then outpacing the retreating Phoenix in a quick moving passing play down the wing.
This led to Beni N’Kololo opening the scoreboard account with a hard strike across goal, making good on the deep through ball into the penalty area from Nicolai Muller.
After withstanding several opportunities to equalise for the hosts, the Mariners added to their tally in the 62nd minute with a seventh goal this season for Jason Cummings, scored on the rebound of Marcos Urena’s header into the post.
Only three minutes later, the net was shaking for a third time with a goal for Matheus Moresche, taking the game beyond the reaches of the hosts.
In a newly developing custom, right-back Matt Hatch got onto the score sheet with a goal in the final minute of play, a final blow against an out-stretched Phoenix keeper, Oliver Sail.
The win has ensured the Mariners stay in the fight for a finals placement despite currently remaining in eighth place, with an eye on Phoenix in sixth
With four matches remaining in the regular season, the next challenge will be the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, April 23.
Haakon Barry