Wellington Phoenix have overcome tricky conditions to record a 3-0 home win over North Queensland Fury. The New Zealanders notched up their third win on the trot thanks to second-half goals from star strikers Eugene Dadi and Paul Ifill and central defender Jon McKain and gave themselves a great chance of qualifying for the play-offs in the 2009/10 season.
Wellington Phoenix: 3 (Eugene Dadi '47, Paul Ifill '78, Jon McKain '90) North Queensland Fury: 0 Venue: Westpac Stadium Crowd: 7,727
In terrible conditions, the players were struggling to control the ball as the rain and howling wind wreaked havoc at Westpac Stadium. The home side were becoming increasingly frustrated and were giving away stupid free-kicks, some resulting in yellow cards but they did look dangerous when pushing forward.
Opportunities in the first half were few and far between as both sides went into the break without really troubling the opposing goalkeeper.
Straight after the break, the Phoenix took the lead thanks to their second-gamer Eugene Dadi who headed home from outside the six-yard box after a well-flighted Leo Bertos corner for his third goal for the club.
The goal seemingly kicked-started the Fury into gear with a great chance falling to star striker Robbie Fowler which was well-held by Phoenix keeper Liam Reddy and they looked far more positive in their whole approach to the game.
The conditions did not get any better as the contest went on and caused many clashes between the players, one which saw goalscorer Dadi leave the field with a badly cut eye received in a collision with Fury defender Matt Smith. But Dadi's exit did not do anything to stop the home side from scoring as they went 2-0 ahead thanks to Paul Ifill 12 minutes from time.
On the stroke of full-time, the Phoenix went further ahead when defender Jon McKain scored his first goal of the season with a very good header that found the back of Fury keeper Justin Pasfield's net, enabling Wellington to move to fourth on the A-League table whilst North Queensland's hopes of making the top six took yet another blow.
