Goals to Kosta Barbarouses and Roy Krishna helped Wellington Phoenix to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in a friendly in Nelson on Saturday afternoon.

Wellington Phoenix 2 (Barbarouses 22’ & Krishna 49’) Central Coast Mariners 1 (Pain 31’)

It was the Wellington Phoenix who opened the scoring thanks to Kosta Barbarouses who converted his own penalty 22 minutes into the match after an unintentional handball by Mickey Neill in the box.

The spot-kick was cancelled out just nine minutes later by Connor Pain who looked dangerous throughout majority of his hour on the pitch and fired home from inside the box to level it up 1-1 in New Zealand. Pain's goal came just after a great opportunity fell to Roy O'Donovan but the Irish striker's shot was saved by Glen Moss.

After the equaliser it was an uphill battle for the Central Coast Mariners who went down to 10 man when Jacques Faty was show red for his challenge on Roy Krishna just outside the penalty area.

The sides went into the sheds on level terms but just four minutes into the second half Wellington capitalised on their one-man advantage thanks to a Roy Krishna header.

It momentarily became a 10 vs. 10 battle in Nelson when Hamish Watson substituted on in the 80th minute and was shown red in the 90th minute before the final whistle brought the match to an end.

22’ BARBAROUSES GOAL: It was the home team that struck first through Kosta Barbarouses. The kiwi attacker took a shot that was unintentionally blocked by the arm of Mickey Neill that resulted in a penalty. Barbarouses stepped up to the penalty spot and made no mistake taking the lead.

31’ PAIN GOAL: Wellington wouldn’t hold the lead for long though thanks to a crafty Connor Pain run into the box. After picking up possession in the ‘Nix area, Pain fired home from close range to equal the scores.



49’ KRISHNA GOAL: The Central Coast Mariners conceded four minutes into the second half when Roy Krishna leapt above the pack to head home. His attempt only just crossed the line to give Wellington a 2-1 lead.

Wellington Phoenix: Glen Moss (GK) (Italiano 60’), Jacob Tratt (Fenton 80’), Roly Bonevacia (McGlinchey 60’), Alex Rodriguez, Gui Finkler (Watson 80’), Kosta Barbarouses, Adam Parkhouse, Marco Rossi, Roy Krishna (Doyle 70’), Andrew Durante, Matthew Ridenton (Rufer 80’)

Red cards: Hamish Watson 90’

Central Coast Mariners: Ivan Necevski (GK), Jacob Poscoliero (Ascroft 68’), Michael Neill, Jake McGing, Jacques Faty, Nick Montgomery (c), Adam Berry (Peterson 60’), Blake Powell (Roux 35’), Connor Pain (Appiah 60’), Fabio Ferreira Roy O’Donovan (Bingham 68’)

Red Cards: Jacques Faty 38’

Saturday September 24, 2016

Trafalgar Stadium, Nelson

Wellington Phoenix vs. Central Coast Mariners (pre-season)