Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix: A-League live scores, blog

Full Time Adelaide United have continued their push for a home final, after a more than comfortable win over a largely absent Wellington Phoenix side in Adelaide. The first half was not one that was overly memorable, though the lack of action was broken up from time to time by bursts of action. The Nix were lively early, as Nathan Burns made one or two incisive runs into the area that almost bore fruit when he went down in the area and a follow up shot from Roy Krishna hit the post. That would largely end Wellington's participation in the first half in terms of genuine chances, as the Reds took charge. However, while Adelaide attacked, they were never really able to mount meaningful challenges, despite their possession and territorial dominance. Ultimately, it would be the captain in combination with Ryan Kitto that created the chance that allowed Johan Absalonsen to head home from close range. The lazy Wellington defence playing its part. The first half finished somewhat frenetically, as the Nix shouted for another penalty, which was closely followed by a professional foul by Krishna up the other end. The ensuing yellow card to Krishna was then followed up by him placing hands on the referee, though no further action was taken, bringing the listless half to a fiery end. The second half fared little better for the New Zealand side, as the Reds commenced running training drills in attempts to score. It was only a matter of time before the Reds increased their lead, so there was something of a feeling of inevitability when Ben Garrucio struck true in the 61st minute. In fact, Garrucio's strike was shortly after followed by Nathan Konstandopoulos getting onto the scoresheet, and the previous round's five against Newcastle looked like it would be easily topped. For Wellington, the performance by Oliver Sail was something to enjoy, however again the concern was that their keeper needed to be their best player. The introduction of Logan Rogerson brought a bit of late excitement for Nix fans. In fact, it was Rogerson who earned a consolation goal late on with a penalty that he earned and converted, but it was way too little, very much too late. The foul that gave away the penalty was by an overly aggressive Gulum, and Kurz might consider talking with his centreback about such challenges, if only for the purpose of tightening up the defence for their finals charge. Adelaide, putting some invariably indifferent form behind them from a fortnight ago, and relishing the return of Absalonsen, will press forward on the last two rounds, as they finished the evening in fourth spot. For Wellington, it is yet another round of wasted opportunity and potential, as they sit back and hope away another season, waiting for the end to graciously arrive on their season. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

93' - Nix knocking it around. Can they improve the scoreline? Looks like they'll have the last corner. Reds have done what they needed to do. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

90' - Now, you can't actually imagine how bad that was by Llujic, but Doyle found Galloway out wide, he came back in and found Llujic, and that attempted "shot" has almost gone sideways. 3 minutes stoppage time. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

89' - Man, I hope there isn't much stoppage time. Kitto back on the attack here, but he can't get through two defenders, and Nix earn yet another relieving free kick. I could just copy and paste that really. Wellington move it around the back, Paracki with a long switch left to Doyle. But lo and behold, the attack breaks down. Credit to Nix, they're playing to the final whistle, but gee they need to be a lot beter. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

87' - Wellington looking like they have woken up, with four minutes to go, as they press for an unlikely second. Another corner fails though, and Reds break. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

86' - Credit to Rogerson. He's looked good since coming on. Perhaps a start next week? Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

Goal 85' - Rogerson scores. Just. Izzo jumps over the shot that essentially goes straight along the middle on the ground. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 1

Penalty 84' - Rogerson down in the area, Gulum the culprit, that's a penalty. Clear contact, Gulum shouldn't be challenging like that. And young Rogerson says: I earned it, I'm taking it. Surely you'd give it to Burns, give him a chance to get his confidence up. Although, maybe now - he'll probably miss. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

82' - Oh dear, Wellington should have scored there. A superb cross into the area, the header is fluffed, but the ball still dribbles wide for a corner. And it's that man, Burns, proving again that he has well and truly forgotten how to score, who has missed the perfectly gettable header. That sums up Wellington Phoenix really. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

81' - into the last ten minutes. Largely forgettable affair, but it has made that top 6/top 4 race all the more intriguing. Do Wellington play anymore top 4 sides this season? Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

79' - Last change for the night. SUB: Lia on, Konstandopoulos off. Well done son - good game, good goal. Crowd applaud accordingly. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

77' - Konstandopoulos looking for a double, but in the effort to save, Sail has taken out his defender Fox. Both players down, and Fox is in some trouble. Sail running it off. SUB: Diawara on, Blackwood off. Blackwood quiet tonight. But he comes off with his side up by 3. Can't complain. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

75' - SUB: McGlinchey on, Ridenton off.. SUB: Singh on, Krishna off. ridenton played well. Krishna basically invisible except for my last update and an earlier shot off the post. Very disappointing. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

73' - Wellington with their inevitable period of possession. Rogerson is looking good, as he links with Krishna in the area. Ball floats out to the left of the goal area, and a shot dribbles all the way to Izzo. Again, attacking without any real threat. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

Apologies, I missed that earlier sub. SUB: Rogerson on, Kaludjerovic off. Good game by Kaludjerovic.

71' - Nix move the ball down the right, but inevitably drop back into defence and as far back as Sail. Now they try the left, and there's a bit of pace. Great run. Corner Nix. Let's see some action here boys! That was through Rogerson as well. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

69' - Reds momentarily with a man down, after a solid attempt at a free kick there from the Nix. Now, is the player hurt from heading the ball, or was he hit of the ball. SUB: Elrich on, Absalonsen off. Applause all round here. How good is it to see Elrich on the park. He was talking about how lonely his recovery was. You're not alone out there tonight son! Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

67' - Wellington chasing everything, and if they had tails, those too. Burns trying to ignite something, but this can't be easy. Reds clear with ease. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

65' - The question now for Adelaide: goal difference! Gulum is fouled, Adelaide again set up for another crack. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0

Goal 63' - GOAL KONSTANDOPOULOS. A goal mouth scramble, after yet another charge down the left, results in the ball pinballing around, landing at the feet of Konstandopoulos, and falling over the line. This could get embarrassing for Wellington. Adelaide United: 3 Wellington Phoenix: 0