Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners at Sky Stadium
Result: Phoenix 0 – Mariners 4
Mariners enjoy their Easter Eggs
Before over 18,000 spectators being one of the biggest crowds of this A-League season, the Mariners spoilt the home-coming of the Nix in the ‘cake tin’ by four goals to nil. Within 12 days, the NZers conceded nine goals to the on-form visitors.
The game opened with the home side lively and determined as they enjoyed most of the early possession. Josh Nisbet was forced to stop a goal bound shot on the line. In the 25th minute, Birighitti came out to narrow the angle as he palmed away a hard shot to safety. That save resulted in the ball being transferred rapidly down the left to Nicolai Mueller who in turn fed Beni N’Kololo. Ben’s speed beat the Nix defence and his angled shot eluded the home goalie for the first goal.
This was the start of the visitor’s domination of the game with the Mariners going into the sheds at half-time up 1-0.
One aspect of the Yellow’s play has been the total team game happening with N’Kololo clearing the danger early in the second half.
The Mariners were dominating and in the 62nd minute Matheus Moresche put in a header which hit the crossbar and rebounded into the path of the on-rushing Jason Cummings. He made no mistake with a powerful header for the 2nd goal.
The Mariners added a third just three minutes later as substitute Marcos Urena slipped a pass to Moresche who made no mistake this time.
With ten minutes to go coach Monty was able to bring on Matt Hatch and Garang Kuol. This duo produced the last goal as Kuol took on and left the Wellington defenders stranded. His exact pass into space found Hatch who fired home for the biggest away win for many a season.
Match Summary - 2021/22 Game 22 (17-Apr-2022)
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