The Crossbar: Life's a beach

Can a team from across the ditch really be an A-League contender? Wellington Phoenix seem to think so after a comprehensive 3-1 win over fellow contender Melbourne Heart. Paul Ifill scored twice whilst Chris Greenache hit the back of the net. The Phoenix had their biggest attendance at the Cake Tin this year as the fans got right behind their 'Black-Out' campaign. Coming off two away wins for the first time in their short history didn't hurt the turnstiles either.

Way back on Thursday's Australia Day blockbuster, Melbourne Victory once again threw away a 2-0 lead and came away with a draw when former Victory defender Sebastian Ryall nicked a point for the Sky Blues in the 89th minute. A healthy crowd were highly entertained on a perfect Melbourne day but again the majority of fans went home frustrated at the result. Don't let anyone from Melbourne Victory take your dog for a walk - they can't hold onto a lead!

Was the Skilled Park pitch underwater?

Torrential rain on the Gold Coast saw Clive Palmer allegedly throw his weight around and have the game called off, saving himself and the club the embarrassment of having more away fans than home fans. Always the gentleman, Miron Bleiberg left the decision to Graham Arnold and co. to deecide upon the new date of Wednesday 22nd Feb. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this fixture has been cancelled.

SEE THE FULL COMIC STRIP HERE

Brisbane's downfall continued when they lost at home to the Newcastle Jets on Saturday night. Wheelhouse scored for Newcastle who were lucky to get the three points after some dubious decisions went against the Roar. That being said they lacked a whole lot of creativity in the final third and Thomas Broich playing as a striker didn't work. The Jets now sit two points out of the finals and maybe their season isn't as far down the toilet as first thought.

Bruce Djite had more easy shots on goal in the first few minutes of Sunday's game against Perth Glory than beers were sold. The difference was that the Reds fans were putting them away, Djite wasn't. The Glory are in some seriously good form downing the resurgent Adelaide 3-0 but its going to take a little more than drubbing the 2nd last and 3rd last teams two weeks running to convince us they are the real deal. 


These snuck under the Crossbar and into The Sack (Likes)

1. Canberra United winning the Westfield W-League Grand Final. Superb effort; superb team.

2. Wellington Phoenix's 'Black-Out' top. Looked great, decent concept, we should have more of it. @benjamint7

3. The Jets' win away from home and push for a finals spot. @chefbrad1985

4. Nick Fitzgerald. Every week we seem to find a new young gun and this week we announce Roar's Fitzgerald as The Football Sack's next big thing. @MelanieDinjaski

5.  Shane Smeltz. He just keeps scoring and scoring, with nine now for the season.

6. Our new comic strip and photoshop blogs, entitled Sack Attack and One-stop A-League Photoshop respectively.


These struck the Crossbar went straight down and we're not sure if it crossed the line or not (We need video technology to know if we like/dislike them) 

1.  Having other football comps to watch when your team is losing @paul_football

What went over the Crossbar (Dislikes)  

1.  Westfield W-League coverage. We want more quantity and quality and we want less Peter Wilkins!

2. Bruce Djite having a stinker. The game should have been over at the 12 minute mark.

3. Brisbane losing at home to the Jets. What's going on in orange town? @scouse_roar

4. Linesman not giving the benefit to the attacker in the offside. It wasn't Archie Thompson this time, but Henrique who was a meter onside - and that's being generous.

5. Melbourne's inability to fill AAMI Park. If they can't get 30,000 to a Sydney game when can they?

6. Not Hyundai A-League related, but Liverpool fans booing Patrice Evra was a dark day in the sport's history. Shame on you Reds!