Wellington Phoenix have now conceded 11 goals in their last two outings, with Central Coast Mariners putting five goals past them in Gosford on Tuesday night.
From minute one, the yellow army displayed their supporting presence. Eight minutes later and Central Coast were first on the board with Marcos Urena converting a spot-kick after Beni Nkololo was upended.
Marco Ureña, the 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩 man on the Coast! 👊
He makes no mistake, firing @CCMariners into an early lead from the spot.
Catch all the action LIVE on @ParamountPlusAU 📺
Follow live: https://t.co/p6UDyrs7T4#CCMvWEL #WeAreALeagues @IsuzuUTE pic.twitter.com/IpHAWrohku
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 5, 2022
A little one-two action between Jacob Farrell and Noah Smith inside the box created panic from both sides, with a strike from Jason Cummings deflecting off a Phoenix defender onto the left upright.
Mariners continued their attacking prowess with some dominating passages of play. Their pressure eventually led to Nkololo curling a cross-turned-shot past the crowding box and into the bottom-left corner.
You are quite simply, not stopping that 🔥
Béni N'Kololo's curled effort was no chance for Oli Sail as the @CCMariners extend their lead over @WgtnPhoenixFC!
Catch all the action LIVE on @ParamountPlusAU 📺
Follow live: https://t.co/p6UDyrs7T4#CCMvWEL @IsuzuUTE pic.twitter.com/9Wu3vnRaaC
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 5, 2022
The Frenchman nearly made it a first-half brace minutes later, striking the crossbar in fine fashion.
Phoenix almost struck back instantly, with defender Tim Payne striking the crossbar off a header from a corner kick.
Nothing went Wellington’s way, constantly being their own worst enemies. Continually turning the ball over and committing fouls saw the pressure mount.
Wellington coach Ufuk Talay would’ve likely been content with his men going into half-time only 2-0 down despite a couple of late Mariners surges.
Wellington were strong from the second-half opening, forcing two corners back to back. Their confidence was struck minutes later, with Cummings converting Central Coast’s second spot-kick of the night.
Cummings, like Nkololo, had a chance to make it a brace, this time denied by a solidly outstretched Oliver Sail.
The youth was on show for Central Coast, a Lewis Miller bomb finding 17-year-old Garang Kuol to swiftly move between two Wellington defenders and slice the ball with his first touch past Sail for his maiden A-League Men goal.
🔥 The Kuol name is back on the scoresheet 🔥
Except this time it's Alou's 17-year-old brother, Garang!
How about this for your first @IsuzuUTE A-League goal 😍
🗣️"That is brave … that is 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚" – @PhilMoss_13.
Follow live: https://t.co/p6UDyrJaV4#CCMvWEL pic.twitter.com/Fx2gIDyX2s
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 5, 2022
Miller’s passing continued to trouble Phoenix. His intimidating frame terrifying Wellington’s backline to provide Nicolai Muller and Matthew Hatch with a seemingly easy opportunities.
Again, it was Sail who held strong for the Nix, denying Mariners from stretching the lead with his large wingspan and quick reflexes.
In the final seconds of added time, Moresche was able to find a flying Hatch, who eventually found the back of the net to cap off a sensational performance at home.
Central Coast Mariners 5 (Urena 8′, Nkololo 24′, Cummings 55′, Kuol 68′, Hatch 90+3′)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Stadium: Central Coast Stadium
Referee: Daniel Elder
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
Central Coast Mariners: Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK) (C), Lewis MILLER, Joshua NISBET, Noah SMITH (Matthew HATCH 34′), Jason CUMMINGS (Nicolai MULLER 63′), Beni NKOLOLO (Garang KUOL 63′), Marcos URENA (Matheus RODRIGUES 62′), Kye ROWLES, Maximilien BALARD (Harrison STEELE 82′), Jacob FARRELL, Daniel HALL
Unused Subs: Storm ROUX, Yaren SOZER (GK)
Wellington Phoenix: Oliver SAIL (GK) (C), Scott WOOTTON, Timothy PAYNE, Gael SANDOVAL, Benjamin OLD (Reno PISCOPO 62′), David BALL (Riley BIDOIS 75′), Nicholas PENNINGTON (Jaushua SOTIRIO 62′), Louis FENTON, Callan ELLIOT, Benjamin WAINE, Sam SUTTON
Unused Subs: Finn SURMAN, Luis TOOMEY, Alexander PAULSEN (GK)
Feature Image Credit: Central Coast Mariners
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