Wellington Phoenix put in their best performance of the season to defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers 5-2 at Pirtek Stadium.
It was Blake Powell’s afternoon, with the Wellington striker scoring four of the Phoenix’s goals. Wellington got off to a brilliant start with Powell finding the back of the net within the opening five minutes. Tom Doyle’s run down the left flank was followed by an excellent ball which beat four Wanderers defenders and fell perfectly for a diving Powell.
The former Sydney FC striker doubled the visitors’ advantage again through the combination of Doyle and Powell – the latter making space for himself beautifully before smashing the ball home. .
It only took 33 minutes for Powell to secure his hat trick, lifting the ball over the oncoming Andrew Redmayne from an acute angle.
Western Sydney had their chances, the Phoenix were incredibly efficient. Powell was able to add a fourth in the 72nd minute, heading it in off a Michael McGlinchey cross.
The Wanderers staged a late come back with a stunning Mitch Nichols strike and a Mark Bridge goal in the space of 10 minutes. But the ‘Nix finished the game off in the 88th minute with Johnathan Aspropotamitis conceding a penalty and getting sent off; McGlinchey converted the kick from the spot.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
First time in 9 @ALeague games the @WgtnPhoenixFC have opened the scoring #WSWvWEL
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) February 14, 2016
Quality pass by Tom Doyle then to set up Wellington's first goal. #WSWvWEL
— EJ (@Michael_EJones) February 14, 2016
Of course Castelen would fail to finish that. Of course. #WSWvWEL
— Shane Henry (@Hirald0) February 14, 2016
Commentators last night mentioned no hat-tricks this season. Blake Powell took it as a challenge and delivered. #WSWvWEL
— Daniel McBreen (@djmcbreen) February 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/ShaneHarmon/status/698762124852473857
Expected Dimas, Alberto, Andreu suspensions/injury to have some effect, but not this… #WSWvWEL
— Katie Lambeski (@katielambeski) February 14, 2016
Blake Powell has scored as many goals in 71 minutes today as @WgtnPhoenixFC have scored in their last six @ALeague games #WSWvWEL
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) February 14, 2016
Blake Powell deserved a standing ovation from the crowd, regardless of his colours. Incredible day out #WSWvWEL
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) February 14, 2016
This game…. *blows out cheeks* #WSWvWEL
— Paul McGreal (@FatherFlipper) February 14, 2016
Wow. That was not the game I was expecting. At all. #WSWvWEL
— Emma Beckett (@synapse101) February 14, 2016
That's stuffed their goal difference #WSWvWEL #savethenix #aleague
— Nico (@HOU53) February 14, 2016
The wanderers worst ever defeat. After one of the worst weeks for the club. Move on now. Derby next week. #WSWvWEL
— Behind the Game (@behindthegamefc) February 14, 2016
Hmmm maybe @SydneyFC should've kept Blake Powell #WSWvWEL
— Cameron Kablar (@CKablar) February 14, 2016
Feels like the Nix doubled their season goal count in one game #WSWvWEL
— Ian R (@coolian2) February 14, 2016
PENALTY & RED CARD! Game over. WSW resistance was futile. #WSWvWEL
— Dave Steuart (@davesaves1) February 14, 2016
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