A-LEAGUE WRAP – Week 13 (midweek): Goals galore in Big Wednesday

The A-League’s ‘Big Wednesday’ proved a hit with the goalscorers of the competition with a total of 23 goals in five matches.

The first match of Week 13’s midweek round saw Wellington Phoenix come from behind to defeat Sydney FC 4-2 at home to move fourth on the table. Brett Emerton converted from the penalty spot for the Sky Blues before the ‘Nix hit back with a spot-kick of their own scored by Daniel before Dani Sanchez helped himself to his third in three games.
After the interval, Sydney restored parity through Bruno Cazarine with his fourth of the campaign before Ben Sigmund and Paul Ifill netted late for the New Zealanders who replaced Sydney in the top four.

In Melbourne, the in-form Heart were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 loss inflicted by Adelaide United who recorded a second win in a row for the first time since February 2011. Sergio van Dijk scored either side of Dario Vidosic’s early second-half strike before Eli Babalj grabbed a consolation goal for the Heart who saw a winning streak of five matches ended.

Jeremy Brockie grabbed his second brace of the season as Newcastle Jets fought a late challenge from Gold Coast United to salute 3-2 at home. The New Zealand international netted in the 44th and 65th minutes before United struck back through Ben Halloran and Adama Traore but the Jets had the last laugh as Labinot Haliti netted with just over ten minutes remaining to help end a four-game winless streak for his side.

Departing Central Coast Mariners striker Matt Simon scored twice in his final appearance for the club before leaving for Chunnam Dragons as they remained at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over struggling Melbourne Victory. The Mariners pushed six points clear of the Heart and Brisbane Roar whilst the Victory slumped to a third straight loss which sees them fall to eighth.

And finally, a six-goal thriller in Perth between the Glory and Roar was played out with both sides sharing the points. Travis Dodd and Mile Sterjovski put the home side two ahead before the reigning champs got themselves in front thanks to a double from Mitch Nichols either side of Erik Paartalu’s late first-half goal.
But Sterjovski converted from the spot in the 80th minute to make it five matches without a win as the Roar have saluted just once in their last seven.

2011/12 A-League season scores – Week 13 (midweek)

Wellington Phoenix: 4 (Daniel (p) 26’, Dani Sanchez 42’, Ben Sigmund 78’, Paul Ifill 90’)
Sydney FC: 2 (Brett Emerton (p) 17’, Bruno Cazarine 64’)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Melbourne Heart: 1 (Eli Babalj 90+1’)
Adelaide United: 3 (Sergio van Dijk (p) 38’/79’, Dario Vidosic 48’)
AAMI Park, Melbourne – 8,272

Newcastle Jets: 3 (Jeremy Brockie 43’/64’, Labinot Haliti 79’)
Gold Coast United: 2 (Ben Halloran 72’, Adama Traore 78’)
Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle

Central Coast Mariners: 2 (Matt Simon 1’/85’)
Melbourne Victory: 0
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Perth Glory: 3 (Travis Dodd 16’, Mile Sterjovski 24’/(p) 80’)
Brisbane Roar: 3 (Mitch Nichols 40’/69’, Erik Paartalu 45+1’)
nib Stadium, Perth – 6,912

 
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