Melbourne City FC were unable to convert its early dominance into scoreboard pressure as the Wellington Phoenix kicked into another gear, running out 5-1 winners.
A hat-trick from Nathan Burns as well as singles to Roy Krishna and Roly Bonevacia completed the rout for the home side as David Williams picked up Melbourne City FC’s consolation from the spot.
Melbourne City FC should have taken the lead after 53 seconds as Williams broke the lines and made his way towards goal. Williams’ cutback to Mate Dugandzic (that was heavily under hit) saw the striker shoot over the bar in the opening play, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Chances from distance by Aaron Mooy and Jacob Melling saw Melbourne City FC go close once again but it was the Phoenix who pinched a fortunate lead.
Erik Paartalu’s tussle with Michael McGlinchey saw the midfielder poke the ball towards his keeper, unaware of the lurking Burns. The striker pinched the loose ball, rounding Andrew Redmayne and putting the home side in the lead.
With that, the match turned for Melbourne City FC with Bonevacia punishing the stagnant defensive line, beating Redmayne at the far post moment later.
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip rung in the changes at half-time, bringing on James Brown and Stefan Mauk to change the match however the substitutes could do little about Burns’ goal second goal of the match, finding the back on the net only two minutes after the restart.
Krishna was proving to be a handful for young right-back Ross Archibald and the Fijian international added a fourth in the 50th minute as he coolly slotted the ball into the top corner.
Williams did find little consolation out of the match as the striker put away a penalty won by Brown however it wasn’t enough as the ‘Nix added a fifth in the 85th minute.
Melbourne City FC will return home looking to redeem themselves this Sunday afternoon as they take on the Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park, kick-off 5pm.
Match details
Hyundai A-League Round 8
Sunday 30 November, 2014
Wellington Phoenix 5 (Burns 34′, 47′, 85′ (pen), Bonevacia 40′, Krishna 50′)
Melbourne City FC 1 (Williams 68′)
HT: 2-0
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Jarrod Gilette
Attendance: 7,410
Wellington Phoenix Line-Up: 1. Glenn MOSS (GK), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 4. Roly BONEVACIA (23. Matthew RIDENTON 87′), 8 Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9. Nathan BURNS, 10. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 13. Albert RIERA, 18. Ben SIGNMUND, 19. Tom DOYLE (5. Michael BOXALL 82′), 21. Roy KRISHNA (7. Kenny CUNNINGHAM 75′), 22. Andrew DURANTE
Unused Subs: 20. Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 11. Jeremy BROCKIE,
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Melbourne City Line-Up: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3. Rob WIELAERT, 5. Erik PAARTALU (21. Stefan MAUK 46′), 6. Aaron MOOY, 7. Iain RAMSAY, 11. Damien DUFF, 15. David WILLIAMS, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC (14. James BROWN 46′), 24. Patrick KISNORBO, 25. Jacob MELLING, 27. Ross ARCHIBALD (17. Jason HOFFMAN 52′)
Unused Subs: 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 26. Marc MARINO
Yellow Cards: Wielaert 82′, Melling 89′
Red Cards: None
