It was a day to forget for a distraught Melbourne City side who fell to the might of a Nathan Burns led Wellington Phoenix to the tune of 5-1. Here are the match ratings from City’s trip to Wellington.
Match Report > Phoenix rise over crumbling City
***
GK: Andrew Redmayne – 5.5
Was beaten by good shots on the day. Neither of the five goals could really be pinned on him, and he did prevent a few other decent shots. But like the rest of the back four, looks shaky in playing out and just doesn’t seem to command his area with confidence
RB: Ross Archibald – 4.5
The youngster, a natural centre back, was thrown to the wolves at right-back and eaten up by Roy Krishna. Eventually subbed off for Hoffman due to his struggles, but wasn’t afforded enough assistance by his team-mates throughout the contest.
CB: Patrick Kisnorbo – 5
Looked sluggish, slightly behind the pace. The likes of Bonevacia and McGlinchey seemed to get through him rather easily. Strong but not mobile enough.
CB: Rob Wielaert – 4
Like in recent weeks, seems to have moments of brain fades, this time giving away a needless penalty and a yellow card with a shirt pull from a corner kick. At 36-years-old, the game may be passing him by.
LB: Iain Ramsay – 3.5
Was made to look silly by Nathan Burns on occasions, and played Krishna onside for the fourth goal. Lacked both positional awareness and defensive qualities to justify his left-back conversion this season.
DM: Erik Paartalu – 5
The backpass born out of an interception to play Nathan Burns through for the first goal was unlucky, but generally failed to screen his back four well enough and was sacrificed at half time for the more attacking Mauk.
DM: Jacob Melling – 6
Not a bad performance in a losing side. Has strength and presence in midfield. Seems to have a decent shot on him as well, missing a decent effort just wide. Deserves to retain his place in the side.
✮ CM: Aaron Mooy – 6.5 ✮
Again, probably the only shining light for City on a dark day. Dangerous from the set piece, only to be denied by Moss a couple of times. Deserved a goal for his tireless efforts.
RW: Mate Dugandzic – 4.5
Skied City’s first opportunity in the first minute which seemed to affect his confidence. James Brown’s like-for-like substition just after half-time summed up Dugandzic’s day, one in which his head never seemed truly in the game.
ST: David Williams (1 goal) – 6
Could have perhaps played Dugandzic through earlier for the team’s effort on goal. While he toiled hard and ran the lines, it wasn’t enough to trouble Wellington’s defence too much. Did score a penalty to slightly inflate his rating.
LW: Damien Duff – 6
The Irishman has genuine quality and ability to hold the ball and generate opportunities, but was too isolated on the day to have too much effect.
Sub: Stefan Mauk (on 46′) – 5
Skied a good chance and was never really allowed to get into the game
Sub: James Brown (1 assist, on 46′) – 6
Won the penalty and looked lively up front, but it was all too late to redeem anything for City
Jason Hoffman (on 52′) – 5.5
Looked more assured than the unfortunate Archibald.
***
Votes:
3. Aaron Mooy
2. David Williams
1. Jacob Melling
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
45.5 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
30.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
24.5 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
24.5 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
22 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
15 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8.5 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
6 – David Williams (Melbourne City)