Phoenix edge past Mariners

The Wellington Phoenix will head into their A-League season opener against Melbourne City riding a small wave of momentum.

The Phoenix made it four preseason victories in a row following their 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners at a damp Trafalgar Park in Nelson yesterday – backing up coach Ernie Merrick’s opinion this has been the team’s best preseason campaign under him.

The Mariners played most of the game with just 10 men after centre-back Jacques Faty, who has joined the Central Coast, was shown a straight red card for bringing Roy Krishna down just outside the box in the 33rd minute.

Kosta Barbarourses had given the Phoenix an early 1-0 lead when he sent a penalty kick above goalkeeper Ivan Necevski’s reach in the 21st minute, the All Whites forward winning the penalty after his chipped ball struck the arm of leftback Michael Neill.

The Phoenix played the final minute with just 10 players too, substitute Hamish Watson shown a red card after a late scuffle.