The Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix kick off Round 20 of the A-League when they meet on Friday night in Gosford. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The arrival at the twentieth round of the A-League season brings with it the realisation that the end of the regular season is drawing near.
With the competition poised so tightly – heading into Round 20 just two wins separate third to ninth – every point up for grabs becomes more and more crucial.
If the Mariners can get the win, they have the chance to jump both Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory (depending on the outcome of their clash on Saturday), possibly finding themselves sitting third on the A-League ladder by Sunday.
The Phoenix currently hold seventh position and will be desperate for a win, or to at least salvage a point, so they can keep up with the rest of the competition as the run to the finals ramps up.
The teams last met on January 12 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where they played out a 1-1 draw.
In that match, the scores were back level by half time and a physical second half was highlighted by a string of yellow cards.
For tonights match, the Mariners bring in promoted players Tom Slater, Isaka Cernak and Matt Sim, as well as Glen Trifiro to cover the suspensions being served by Joshua Rose, Nick Fitzgerald and Matt Simon.
Wellington welcome back Roy Krishna from injury and also bring Josh Bringell-South into the squad.
It has been almost a month since the Mariners recorded their last victory, 3-0 against Newcastle on January 25, so they will be desperate to find some form heading into the pointy end of the season.
Despite their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne Heart last week, the Phoenix have at least recored a couple of victories in their last three matches.
The trip across the ditch is always going to put extra pressure on the Phoenix, but they should draw some optimism from the fact that the Mariners have struggled in recent weeks.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Stevo
Guest
Hmmmmmm, didn't see this coming. Well done Nux. CCM ??????
realfootball
Guest
The Vidosic effect. I guess Moss was not the brains.
jamesb
Guest
I don't think Phil Moss is up to it as an A-League coach. Smells a little bit of Johnny Aloisi
jb
Roar Pro
A real game of two halves in Gosford, the Mariners completely dominated the first half and could have lead by a couple of goals. The missed penalty by Sterjovski in the second half was a real turning point and the Phoenix punished them with two quick goals to put the game to bed. Jeremy Brockie put the icing on the cake with a fourth late in the piece but the man of the match was certainly Hernandez with his creativity and strength on the ball a constant problem for the Mariners defence. The Phoenix move into the top six with the win while the Mariners are stuck in the dog fight with a host of other teams to make the finals. Thanks for following the coverage.
jb
Roar Pro
FULL TIME - Central Coast Mariners 1 (IBINI) DEF BY Wellington Phoenix 4 (Cunningham, Hernandez, Huysegems, Brockie)
jb
Roar Pro
90''′ – Chance! Roy Krishna made a lovely incisive run at the Phoenix defence there and unleashed a powerful drive but it smacked into the side netting. Mariners 1 Phoenix 4
Ryman White
Editor
[VIDEO]: Phoenix make it a 4-1 thrashing
jb
Roar Pro
82''– The Phoenix hit the Mariners on the counter attack there with Stein Huysegems playing a delightful early through ball for Jeremy Brockie to slot first time past Liam Reddy. Mariners 1 Phoenix 4
Digby
Roar Guru
well this puts last weeks performance to bed. Well done lads!
jb
Roar Pro
82'′ – GOAL! Wellington! 4-1! Jeremy Brockie! Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
jb
Roar Pro
77′ – Chance! Mariners! Bad luck for the home side there after Sterjovski controlled a ball in the box before firing a shot across Moss who pushed it onto the post with the ball narrowly avoiding crossing the line. Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
Ryman White
Editor
[VIDEO]: Phoenix push it out to 3-1
Ryman White
Editor
[VIDEO]: Phoenix make it 2-1
jb
Roar Pro
74'′ – Yellow Card to Storm Roux for repeated infringements Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
jb
Roar Pro
72'′ – Chance! A great cross by Matt Sim found sterjovski on the penalty spot but the veteran's header flew well over Glen Moss's goal. Needs to do better there. Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
Ryman White
Editor
[VIDEO]: Phoenix draw level early in the second half
jb
Roar Pro
66''′ – WOW! 2 goals in 2 minutes has put the Phoenix right in control of this match. Hernandez's goal was an absolute pearler after the Mariners afforded him too much space on the edge of the area before he unleashed an absolute bullet past a helpless Liam Reddy into the top corner. A double rebound and some persistence from Kenny Cunningham set up Wellington's third before Huysegems tapped home into an empty net from 3 yards. Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
Digby
Roar Guru
And another!! Woohooo!
jb
Roar Pro
Goal! Wellington! 3-1! Huysegems! Mariners 1 Phoenix 3
Digby
Roar Guru
Yeehaa!! Keep it up lads!!