Phoenix breeze past City in Wellington

Wellington Phoenix defeated Melbourne City 2-1 in an entertaining clash with all goals coming in a frenetic opening 20 minutes on Friday at a windy Westpac stadium.

Phoenix’s striking stocks took a blow before kick off with Blake Powell’s injury, but his loss was barely felt early on as the home side got off to a flyer.

Up 2-0 inside the first 15 minutes, it looked they could run away with the game in Andrew Durante's 200th game for the club. 

But the classy Aaron Mooy pulled one back for the visitors just minutes later. 

Despite City's best efforts late in the second half - on a night when the windy conditions made it difficult for the players - Phoenix's rearguard held off the visitors to record a welcome win. 

GOALS

12’ Louis Fenton (Phoenix) 1-0

McGlinchey popped up on the left and directed an inch-perfect low ball into the box for Fenton who got between two defenders and slid past Sorensen to open the scoring.

15’ Matthew Ridenton (Phoenix) 2-0

Bonevacia on the right found space to direct his low cross into Ridenton and in similar fashion to Fenton’s opener, he slid home a second past Sorensen.

19’ Aaron Mooy (City) 2-1

Muscat into the back of a City player gave City the chance and Mooy stepped up from distance to slam home his free thanks to a deflection off the wall.  

TEAMS

Wellington Phoenix: Moss(GK), Muscat, Fox, Durante,Doyle, Rodriguez (Gully 66’), Riera, Bonevacia Appiah Kubi 88'), Fenton, McGlinchey, Ridenton (Sigmund 85')

Melbourne City: Sorensen (GK) (Bouzanis 45’), Franjic, Wilkinson, Kisnorbo, Zullo, Malik, Caceres, Mooy, Fitzgerald (Brown 63’), Fornaroli, Garuccio (Melling 63’)

4:33 AM