Newcastle Jets 3
Adelaide United 1
Wellington Phoenix 0
Central Coast Mariners 3
Any hopes of a quick return to winning form when the Wellington Phoenix travel to play lowly Newcastle Jets on Saturday were soon put in perspective as the Jets stunned Adelaide United 3-1 and the Phoenix foundered 3-0 to Central Coast Mariners.
It was a second consecutive loss for the
Phoenix at their Westpac Stadium home ground since they set the A-League record for the longest unbeaten streak.
And, like the loss to Brisbane Roar 10 days earlier, it was a limp showing from a team who have relied on solid home form to remain in the play-off race.
The Jets went into their game against Adelaide at home firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and pitted against a team poised to return to the top.
Any thoughts that the South Australians only had to turn up to win quickly disappeared.
Down 3-0 after 50 minutes when Marko Jesic scored his second, the visitors did not breach the Jets defence until the 80th minute.
It is an ominous warning for Ricki Herbert and his Phoenix players who must quickly find a way to plug their leaky defence.
In 14 games they have now let in 25 goals. Only Perth (26 from 15) have conceded more.
Newcastle on the other hand have let in 10 behind only high-flying Brisbane (nine), Central Coast and Gold Coast (both eight).
It is inability to score goals which is keeping the Jets out of the picture. The three they scored on Saturday night took their tally to eight for the season.
What should have been a celebration for Phoenix captain Andrew Durante's 100th A-League appearance was anything but.
A stunning strike from left fullback Josh Rose in the 17th minute set the Mariners on course.
The visitors dominated, particularly in midfield with a quick, accurate passing game that was too much for the Phoenix, who too often resorted to playing hopeful long balls forward.
There was some hope when Paul Ifill fired over the Mariners goal in the 29th minute, and Durante had a couple of half chances late in the first spell.
It did not help when Tim Brown was booked for the fifth time this season, meaning he will stay home when the team goes to Newcastle.
The inevitable second goal came 10 minutes from time when Rose beat the offside trap, turned substitute defender Troy Hearfield inside out and slotted his second goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Adam Kwasnik completed the Phoenix misery when their defence was again unlocked.
"That was our best performance away from home," said jubilant Mariners coach Graham Arnold as his team celebrated their first win over the Wellington side in seven games.
Herbert was not so pleased.
"We had some good spells but we probably didn't take our opportunities and that's probably my biggest concern at the moment."