Phoenix hammer Victory
At a glance
Roly Bonevacia’s form resurgence has continued with a match-winning performance against Melbourne Victory.
The midfielder started his secondstraight match in the No 10 position ahead of Gui Finkler and repaid the faith his coaches showed in him, scoring the first goal in his side’s 3-0 win at Westpac Stadium last night.
The Dutchman looked out of sorts earlier in the season playing holding midfield, but the past two games he’s been at his pulsating best, free from the shackles of those defensive duties.
While he was the standout, it was also by far the Phoenix’s best team performance of the season. The entire back four, in combination with goalkeeper Glen Moss, kept the Victory scoreless for only the second time this season, while the holding midfield duo of Vince Lia and Alex Rodriguez were tireless without the ball and shifted it quickly when the had it.
But it was Bonevacia pulling the strings in the front third, which he was rewarded for when he breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute.
VInce Lia found Roy Krishna in acres of space down the left wing, with the Fijian whipping in a great low cross for Bonevacia to get a toe on to deflect past Lawrence Thomas. It was good reward for the Phoenix after being the better side in the first half.
Melbourne came into the match in second and unbeaten in their last nine, including a six-game winning streak, but they looked strangely short on ideas in the front third in the first half. Part of the that was the Phoenix’s organised defence, but they were loose in possession and managed just two
Wellington Phoenix 3 (Roly Bonevacia 33’, Jacob Tratt 90’, Kosta Barbarouses 90’) Melbourne Victory 0. HT: 1-0.
Roly Bonevacia of the Phoenix is congratulated on his goal during the match against Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium last night. shots, both off target.
They were better in the second and would have equalised 15 minutes in if it wasn’t for Glen Moss. The Phoenix shotstopper produced one of the saves of the season to keep out Leigh Broxham’s volley direct for a corner which was destined for the top corner of Moss’ net.
That came fired a after Krishna long-range effort inches wide of Thomas’ goal in what was an developing into an entertaining second spell.
There was a moment of contention 20 minutes from time when Thomas came out to clear a Phoenix through ball, but used his arm. Shane Smeltz was lurking for a possible goal-scoring chance, but referee Kris Griffith-Jones opted for a yellow card, which appeared to be the right decision.
Rather than sit back over the closing stages, the Phoenix continued to push for a second goal. They had a host of great opportunities before Jacob Tratt popped up with his first ever A-League goal in the 90th minute, rising high above the defence to meet a Michael McGlinchey cross and earn his side all three points.
Kosta Barbarouses then sent the 5865 fans in attendance into dream land with a superb strike from the edge of the box deep in stoppage time which whistled into the bottom corner.
It was a stunning turnaround from the Phoenix after being beaten 6-1 by the Victory on October 31. With the win the Phoenix move into fifth, ahead of Perth Glory on goal difference.