Melbourne City FC
3
Match Complete
Wellington Phoenix
2
| 93' |  | B. Waine | ||
| C. Noone | | 63' | ||
| S. Galloway |  | 50' | ||
| D. Genreau | | 46' | ||
| C. Noone | | 43' | ||
| S. Galloway | | 34' | ||
| C. Metcalfe | | 30' | ||
| M. Najjar | | 29' | ||
| 24' | | G. Hooper |
| 16 | Shots | 7 | ||
| 8 | On Target | 3 | ||
| 17 | Fouls | 10 | ||
| 7 | Corners | 3 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 4 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
Match result:
Melbourne City has outscored Wellington Phoenix 3-2 in a great game of football.
After Melbourne City dominated for the first twenty-four minutes, Gary Hooper scored a tap in against the run of play from a great David Ball assist.
But City kept on searching and found a goal six minutes later from a spectacular ball from Craig Noone, who found the head of Connor Metcalfe for his first A-League goal.
City weren’t settled with that, and four minutes later found another goal courtesy of a wonder-strike from Scott Galloway, which ensured that they went into the second half with a two-one lead.
In the sixty-third minute, the most controversial VAR decision yet left Louis Fenton fuming, after the ball bounced off onto his chest and onto his hand.
It was clearly not a penalty and Melbourne City was lucky to go 3-1 up, courtesy of a well-taken penalty via Craig Noone.
Wellington pushed for another goal, but unfortunately for them, it came too late, in the ninety-third minute, through another fabulous David Ball assist.
Ball squared it beautifully to Ben Waine, who had a tap in for his first A-League goal.
Overall, Melbourne City played some beautiful football this afternoon, and probably deserved the win, although it didn’t come in the best of ways.
They recycled the ball fluently and Erick Mombaerts has set up a great new-look Melbourne City team.
Final score
Melbourne City 3
Wellington Phoenix 2
Match preview:
Melbourne City will be welcoming Wellington Phoenix to Melbourne Rectangular Stadium unbeaten, with seven points from three games. Join us here on The Roar for live coverage on the game from 4pm AEDT.
Melbourne City are without their only goal scorer so far in the campaign, Jamie McLaren, and have also lost Harrison Delbridge to suspension, and Richard Windbichler to another hamstring injury. Florin Berenguer is also still out with a hamstring injury.
On the other hand, Wellington Phoenix have lost all three of their games and currently sit last on the A-League ladder.
They are without Liberato Cacace, who is still suspended from his red card against Sydney FC.
Both teams will struggle to score goals, with Wellington Phoenix having only scored two goals in the three games they have played in this A-League season so far.
But to help them with that is new marquee Gary Hooper, who should provide the goals that Pheonix have been lacking.
For Melbourne City, the problem is that all four of their goals in the A-League this season have come from Jamie McLaren, who is missing the next 4-6 weeks with his hamstring injury.
My prediction is 1-1, as Melbourne City will struggle to score without McLaren, but will be hard to score against.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the match, with the game beginning at 4pm AEDT.
Jack George
Roar Guru
And thanks for being part of my first live blog, it has been great commentating for the people viewing and I hope you have enjoyed it!
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me this afternoon, and I will now hand over to Daniel Greenland, who will be Live Blogging Perth Glory vs Central Coast Mariners.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Match Report: Melbourne City has outscored Wellington Phoenix 3-2 in a great game of football. After Melbourne City dominated for the first twenty-four minutes, Gary Hooper scored a tap in against the run of play from a great David Ball assist. But Melbourne City kept on searching and found a goal six minutes later from a spectacular ball from Craig Noone, who found the head of Connor Metcalfe for his first A-League goal. But City wasn’t settled with that, and four minutes later found another goal courtesy of a wonder-strike from Scott Galloway, which ensured that they went into the second half with a two-one lead. In the sixty-third minute, the most controversial VAR decision yet left Louis Fenton fuming, after the ball bounced off onto his chest and onto his hand. I don’t want to get into it, but it was clearly not a penalty and Melbourne City was lucky to go 3-1 up, courtesy of a well-taken penalty via Craig Noone. Wellington Phoenix pushed for another goal, but unfortunately for them, it came too late, in the ninety-third minute, through another fabulous David Ball assist. Ball squared it beautifully to Ben Waine, who had a tap in for his first A-League goal. Overall, Melbourne City played some beautiful football this afternoon, and probably deserved the win, although it didn’t come in the best of ways. They recycled the ball fluently and Mombaerts has set up a great new-look Melbourne City team. Final score: Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 2.
Jack George
Roar Guru
FULLTIME! Melbourne City go top of the A-League ladder in 3-2 win over Wellington Phoenix! Match report out in a few minutes. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
94′ Ben Waine tries to take on Jamieson but slips and the ball goes out for a goal kick, which Bouzanis is in no hurry to take. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
93' Could we be in for a major comeback here? Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 2
Jack George
Roar Guru
92' GOAL! Wellington Phoenix find a tap in from Ben Waine, after a great ball from David Ball! Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 2!
93'
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Nooooooooo :shocked:
Jack George
Roar Guru
91' City with a great move to find Colakovski, who finds Scott Jamieson, who shoots straight at the keeper. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
90' Wellington Phoenix looking for a goal, although it would only be a constilation at this stage of the game. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
90' There will be four minutes of stoppage time added on. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
89' Lachlan Wales is down but only appears to be a cramp. Wellington restart with the ball. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
89' Melbourne City go again with their top spot looking more and more likely. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
87' Ben Waine looks for a cross but it is blocked, after a scrap, Colakovski finds space and forces a good save from Marinovic. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
86' Genreau robs Fenton and Melbourne City have a chance... Colakovski's header is over the bar from a great Scott Galloway cross. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
85' Goal kick for Melbourne City as you can see Wellington's frustration build. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
85' A quiet 2 minutes of the game as Wellington struggle to find an opportunity. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
83' Wellington recycles and looks for their playmakers in between the lines. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1
Jack George
Roar Guru
82′ Colakovski has a shot but it is blocked. City look to recycle and come again. Melbourne City 3, Wellington Phoenix 1