The A-League’s top-two leading scorers will feature in a clash between A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners and ninth-placed Wellington Phoenix tonight in Gosford. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEDT.
Current leading scorer Danny McBreen (14 goals) and Jeremy Brockie (11 goals) will be the men to watch in what could prove to be an intriguing match-up.
The Mariners’ strong form has slowed somewhat with three draws in the last four weeks while the Phoenix won last week against Perth, ending a five-game losing streak.
Last weekend the Mariners drew 2-2 with rivals Brisbane, holding a narrow three-point lead over the rest of the competition and they will hope to improve that in this game.
Wellington’s season is not yet in dire straits, as they are only one point behind sixth place – and a spot in the finals – eight weeks away from the end of the season.
If Wellington manages to salvage their season, it will be the fourth year in a row that the team has made the finals.
In their last game in Wellington in round 12, the Mariners controled possession (54 percent ) and chances (17 shots to Wellington’s 9), and McBreen scored a tap-in right before halftime.
Thanks to a late equaliser from Dani Sanchez (and some rare poor defending from the Mariners) the final result was 1-1.
The first game of the season between these teams also featured a goal from Danny McBreen and very poor finishing from Wellington (who were unable to record a shot on target in the whole match) with the Central Coast winning 1-0.
Last week a report came out that the Central Coast had investment interest from a number of Asian syndicates – reports that could be interpreted as either desperation from a cash-strapped club or a promising opportunity for the Mariners to get fiscally stable (a stability that might stop the sale of young talent that could help the Mariners to that elusive title).
Meanwhile, the focus in Wellington has been on the debut of two new players last week.
Central defender Ian Hogg, who looked impressive against Perth and midfielder Isaka Cernak, recently purchased from Melbourne Victory.
Both players have the opportunity to carve out a starting role with strong performances against the Mariners.
Keep an eye on the form of Phoenix keeper Mark Paston in this game – the New Zealand national keeper is only two saves behind the current A-League leader in saves (Ante Covic).
Also, Dutch international Patrick Zwaanswijk of the Mariners had a man-of-the-match performance in the last game between these teams. If he has another top game, it’s going to be very difficult for Wellington to win on the road.
Join us for live commentary on The Roar from 7.00pm AEDT.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
And we lost to them.
Midfielder
Guest
The worst team I have seen at Bluey for a long while
langou
Roar Guru
Missed the game, seen the stats, what a thrashing
pete4
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Phoenix board looking to go in a new direction sooner rather than later. Copped 7 goals v SFC and now another 5 away to CCM
Stevo
Guest
Ouch, Ricki surely can't be long for this coaching gig could he?
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Wellington Phoenix 0 – 5 Central Coast Mariners The Mariners stay top of the table and could not have wished for a better outcome, although if there was slightly better finishing they could have had ten goals. They'll play Perth Glory next week in what looks like another lopsided battle. If this was a tennis match, I'd say Wellington lost in straight sets and can blame it on unforced errors - they were very poor in the middle third and rarely kept possession long enough to threaten the Mariners goal. Herbert was disadvantaged this week with high turnover of his playing group and hopefully will get some more consistency next week when they face Brisbane Roar. Thanks for joining us with the Roar's live coverage of this game.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Wellington Phoenix 0 – 5 Central Coast Mariners The whistle blows mercifully for the Nix and the Mariners have put out a statement to the Wanderers and the Victory that stories of a Central Coast 'slump' has been grossly exaggerated. Excellent performances from the whole squad, especially Bernie Ibini and Danny McBreen. For Wellington, they entered the game with high hopes after a win last week but they were never really in this game, having only two or three good chances on goal and not looking convincing anywhere on the pitch.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' + 1 Wellington Phoenix 0 – 5 Central Coast Mariners Zwaansijk comes off for Anderson, and there will be three minutes added on - maybe the Mariners can get a sixth? It would be their biggest margin of victory ever!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
89' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 5 Central Coast Mariners GOAL! Mitchell Duke races past his defender and slots the ball through a hapless Paston's legs. A great through ball again from McBreen, and the Mariners are home and dry!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
89' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 4 Central Coast Mariners That goal was a matter of time with the Nix defenders looking tired on the pitch - the Mariners will now go to six points clear on the A-League ladder.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
86 Wellington Phoenix 0 – 4 Central Coast Mariners GOAL! Ibini slips through the defense, collects a neat pass from McBreen and slots the ball past Paston. Ibini's second goal of the night, he's looked dangerous all day.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
85' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners Five minutes of regulation time left and the Nix are still fighting, but they're not able to stop Bojic, who creates another great chance for Duke.. saved by Paston! He's really had a good game, it's hard to point to any of the goals and blame them on him.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Ifill is playing, he's not having much impact right now but he's created a few nice passes.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
83' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners Ibini attempts a flashy back-heel shot from close range and it almost works as Paston scrambles to save it - Central Coast are clearly having fun out there. That's Paston's 7th save tonight.
tom
Guest
s iffil playing.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
81' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners A freekick 25 metres out for the Mariners and Tyler Boyd earns himself a yellow card for the challenge on Bojic. McGlinchey is removed for Nick Fitzgerald. The free kick is well hit by Bojic but provides no problem for Paston.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
77' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners Duke almost adds another to the Mariners total with a good shot on the turn, blocked by Muscat for a corner. Fenton is removed for Dani Sanchez, who scored last game against the Mariners.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
75' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners Wellington have only managed five points in nine games on the Australian mainland, and it looks like it'll stay that way. They were unlucky with Brockie's header off the crossbar but they've really created no opportunities in this second half and Herbert must be disappointed - they've shown no fire this half.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
71' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners Twenty minutes to go, and Sterjovski has been replaced by Duke, and Brockie has been replaced by Lochhead. That last goal from McBreen was simply a beautifully guided header from a good corner, and now the Mariners have another!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
70' Wellington Phoenix 0 – 3 Central Coast Mariners GOAL! McBreen finishes a free header from a McGlinchey corner for his fifteen goal of the season. No chance for Paston.