Central Coast’s youth brigade have upset in-form Wellington 2-1 to snap a three-games winless run and kickstart their A-League Women championship defence.
A wonderful free kick from 19-year-old attacker Peta Trimis put Central Coast in front in the 16th minute before Wellington’s American signing Mackenzie Anthony equalised 12 minutes later.
Then, Avaani Prakash, also 19, teed up 21-year-old Tamar Levin to score the winner in first-half injury time at a wet and windy Porirua Park to ensure the Mariners maintained their perfect five-from-five record against Wellington.
Central Coast (22 points) move up to fifth, snapping the Phoenix’s four-game winning run and leaving second-placed Wellington (24) to lament a missed opportunity to leapfrog leaders Melbourne City (26).
Later on Sunday, seventh-placed Mellbourne Victory (20) host City at the Home of the Matildas.
For the opener, Wellington young gun Pia Vlok fouled Izzy Gomez in a dangerous position and Trimis stepped up.
The teenager curled a right-footed shot over the wall and beyond diving Phoenix goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
Wellington responded when Lucia Leon pinched the ball from dawdling Mariners goalkeeper Annalee Grove and teed up Makala Woods.
The American’s initial shot was blocked but the ball spilled into the path of Anthony, who tapped home.
In the final seconds of the first half, Prakash unleashed a brilliant through ball, as she was falling over, that Levin latched onto and coolly put away to restore Central Coast’s lead.
Wellington huffed and puffed but couldn’t find an equaliser.
