Phoenix celebrate their 21st in winning style

THERE may be more memorable occasions to celebrate a 21st, but in football terms the Wellington Phoenix will remember fondly their 2-0 win against the Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As well as stretching their unbeaten run at their Wellington fortress to 21 games, the Phoenix snared a valuable three competition points to keep pace with the early leaders in the Hyundai A-League.

Played in front of 9553 fans in clear but cool conditions the home side – through goals to Leo Bertos and Paul Ifill – deserved the win on the balance of play, with on-goal chances in short supply.

After a tentative start the game needed an early goal and it came in the 10th minute when fine buildup work from Manny Muscat, in a deft one-two with Chris Greenacre, resulted in Muscat delivering a short cross from the by-line which was tapped home by Bertos.

While both sides showed a willingness to push forward there was little reward for their efforts, both goalkeepers rarely being tested as respective forays ended either by a wayward pass or shot, the referee’s whistle for an infringement or effective defence.

The Phoenix came close to doubling their lead in the final minutes of the first half, first via a Tim Brown header from distance that cleared the crossbar in the 40th minute and soon after when a sliding Dylan Macallister narrowly failed to connect with a low cross sent through the penalty area by Ifill.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert introduced Oscar Roberto “Toto” Cornejo for his Hyundai A-League debut in the 57th minute, with the Argentine settling into the game well.

The home side looked to have made the game safe on the hour mark courtesy of a left-foot Ifill strike that curled from right to left beyond Mariners goalkeeper Jess van Strattan and into the top right corner of the goal. Ifill – playing in his 400th senior game – had midfielder Brown to thank for being put into space from a delightful aerial through-ball.

Phoenix custodian Mark Paston was rarely under pressure from the Mariners’ attack. The Phoenix’s Kiwi World Cup hero was only pressed into making his first on-goal save in the 79th minute, and it was a crucial one to deny a strike from Oliver Bozanic. He had to make just one more save, in added time.

The Phoenix face a short turnaround for their next match, against the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, August 27.