Slumping Central Coast have an unwanted place in A-League history after a 2-0 away loss to Wellington.
Phoenix fullback Louis Fenton and forward Sarpreet Singh bagged their first goals of the season in Saturday’s opening half and that proved comfortably enough against the injury-plagued visitors, who remain stuck at the bottom of the table.
Rubbing salt in the wounds, the Mariners’ start to the season is the worst in the league’s history. No other team has recorded just two competition points through the first eight rounds.
The result also extends their winless run to a club-record 14 games, including losses in their past six.
The Mariners never looked like breaking that duck, with an injury crisis seriously affecting the quality of their play at Westpac Stadium.
Already missing key front men Ross McCormack and Tommy Oar, they lost goalkeeper Ben Kennedy this week to a leg injury, forcing Mike Mulvey to hand 21-year-old Adam Pearce his A-League debut.
Pearce was partly to blame for the ninth-minute opener, having blocked a deflected strike from Mandi directly to the feet of Fenton.
He could do little about the second, when Roy Krishna snuck past Kalifa Cisse too easily and centred to Singh, who comfortably slotted home from close range.
It was a second-straight win for the resurgent hosts after last week’s 3-1 boilover against Sydney FC.
Captain Andrew Durante said this week the long-struggling Kiwi outfit were taking their game to a new level under Mark Rudan.
While their finishing was clinical, they were as guilty as the Mariners of giving away possession carelessly in what was mostly a messy contest.
The Phoenix were content to operate largely off the break through speedy striker Krishna and also looked impressive down the left flank, where 18-year-old fullback Liberato Cacace was the original source of both goals.
Rudan made one change, with fit-again goalkeeper Filip Kurto replacing Oliver Sail.
The Polish stopper wasn’t forced to make a save until the 80th minute.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Where's Midfielder?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It has to be said, a few of the Nix players are in seriously good form. Krishna and Singh come immediately to mind, but most of the team are doing their bit. In what may have been viewed as the battle of the basket cases, on the field at least, the Nix are well ahead of the Mariners. But are the Nix's metrics good enough to remain in the comp on a more permanent basis? Not if these ratings figures are anything to go by: #TVratings Saturday STV #ALeague #FoxSports #WELvCCM 25k
Jock the sock
Guest
Is the coach going to follow Usain. What a joke. Usain had to be their best crowd puller and now they have no strikers .
Kangas
Roar Rookie
That’s West Perth in the wafl The bulldogs are south Fremantle
Kangas
Roar Rookie
I think you mean Fitzroy who played in vfl Footscray were a team in the National Soccer League
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Nah punter the western is for western Victoria , I think they play at Horsham Kinda like the west coast eagles who play in western Victoria at Warrnambool. It’s only a Victorian competition.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
So they are called the Western Bulldogs as they are from West Melbourne/Footscray. And yes they did win the flag after finishing 7th in 2016.
Punter
Roar Rookie
The old saying people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, comes to mind here.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I thought western Bulldogs was a West Australian team, what does Western mean in a national competition, if not a West Australian team? Didn't they also win the AFL premiership after finishing 7th one year, only in Australia,
Mister Football
Roar Guru
At least the Mariners have gained significantly from the publicity.
Nemesis
Guest
The trophy that Egg Ball team won in 1954 is equivalent to a football club winning the NPL in Victoria. It's not a National Title. Actually the NPL Vic title is more difficult. Heidelberg Utd tested themselves against 13 opponents. That Egg Ball team tested itself against 11 opponents.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
You mean VFL but yes, they one it once in 1954 i think and then in 2016
Punter
Roar Rookie
Didn't the Western Bulldogs win the WAFL a few times before joining the AFL?
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Sheep paddocks and Mariners to be relegated. I think i'm finally with you on that one.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Mariners still have more trophies in 14 years then west bulldogs. Long live ccm
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Mariners my tip to be the first team relegated when P&R comes in
Jock the sock
Guest
If only they kept their highest goal scorer Usain Bolt. What a disaster of a decision to let him go. Good luck with the crowds