Jacob Tratt’s maiden A-League goal was not also a massive moment personally, it may yet turn out to be a massive moment in the Wellington Phoenix’s season.
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The Dubbo product rose high to head home his side’s second goal on Tuesday night, giving his Phoenix team some breathing space late on against the Melbourne Victory.
Teammate Kosta Barbarouses then scored minutes later to seal a 3-0 win over the competition powerhouse.
The win moved the Phoenix into the all-important sixth spot, meaning finals is a real chance this season. But the side still wants more.
"We know the points we require," co-coach Des Buckingham said after the win.
"We set our target at the start of the season, and we're nowhere near it.
"We still need 25 points from the remaining games to get to fourth and stay in fourth for the play-offs."
Tratt’s goal was a deserved one after being one of his side’s best all season.
After making the move from Sydney in the off-season, Tratt has been a mainstay at right-back and he and his fellow defenders were outstanding against a dangerous Victory forward line.
Phoenix scored after just 10 minutes and held firm for the rest of the match. Late on, with the final whistle approaching Tratt beat Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas to a cross, rose high and headed the ball home.
The win continued the Phoenix’s fine run of form, with Buckingham and fellow co-coach Chris Greenacre only losing once in seven games at the helm since taking over after Ernie Merrick resigned early last month.
Wellington have created more chances on goal than any other team in the league and produced the most shots on target, Buckingham said.
Converting those chances is still a work in progress, but in the meantime the 31 -year-old Englishman is happy with the way the team is improving.
Holding midfielders Alex Rodriguez and Vince Lia are working well with a steady back four anchored by Italian Marco Rossi, skipper Andrew Durante and Tratt.
"We're starting to get some consistency - it's only the fourth time this season we've been able to put that back four out," Buckingham said.
He's hoping that consistency will earn Wellington their third win from as many games in eight days when they host Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
Brisbane sit one place and three points ahead of the Phoenix and are coming off a 3-2 defeat at Victory's feet last week.
"Brisbane had a really good start to the season. They've stuttered in the last couple of weeks, but there's threats all over the pitch," Buckingham said.
"But we'll continue to focus on our game - we need to back up with a defensive display like we've shown tonight."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
