United making Hindmarsh their fortress

The Reds warm-up before taking on the Phoenix

Adelaide United have solidified a place in the top two of the Hyundai A-League and extended their stellar form at home with a 3-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix.

United have won five of their six matches at Hindmarsh Stadium, with Perth Glory the only side to take points off the Reds, a 1-1 draw in round six giving both teams a share of the spoils.

Marcelo Carrusca was the star of the day as he secured his brace and sent through the assist for Fabio Ferreira’s goal, all before Stebre Delovski’s whistle blew for half-time.

The Phoenix were unlucky not to pull a goal back before the Portuguese winger killed the game off, with striker Stein Huysegems wrongly adjudged offside in the 27th minute after putting the ball in the back of the net.

Wellington pulled a goal back in the 81st minute through Dani Sanchez after an unselfish cutback from substitute Tyler Boyd. The Spaniard needed two bites of the cherry to beat Galekovic but he managed to give the Phoenix a lifeline heading into the final 10 minutes.

Referee Delovski pointed to the spot in the 90th minute after a Boogaard foul inside the box however Galekovic came up two miracle saves to deny youngster Boyd’s initial strike and his follow-up that looked destined for the net.

The win means United stay apace of leaders Central Coast, with the Victory’s draw against Brisbane opening an eight-point gap between second and third place on the ladder.

Goal(s): Carrusca 19’ (1-0), Carrusca 24’ (2-0), Ferreira 45’ (3-0), Sanchez 81’ (3-1)

Adelaide Starting XI: Galekovic (C) (GK), Malik, Boogaard, Fyfe, Cassio, Carrusca, Vidosic, Djite, Watson, Ferreira, Kostopolous.

Subs: Ramsay, Barbiero, Neumann, Hall (GK).

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Phoenix Starting XI: Paston (GK), Muscat, Lochhead, Bertos, Ifill, Huysegems, Fenton, Lia, Sigmund, Sanchez, Durante (C).

Subs: Smith, Totori, Boyd, McMaster (GK).