Brisbane Roar have won their first game since February after defeating the Wellington Phoenix – who suffered their second successive defeat.
An Eric Bautheac double in front of the home supporters sealed Brisbane’s fourth win of the season and all but prevents them from finishing in bottom place.
With Brisbane’s season nearing its end and with nothing but pride to play for – the Roar looked to leave its fans with something to smile about after another tumultuous week for the club.
The home side set the tone early as Thomas Kristensen had a chance denied off Fillip Kurto at the near post in the seventh minute.
After filing for goal of the season with a spectacular overhead goal against the Central Coast Mariners – Eric Bautheac appeared to have outdone himself, opening the scoring after manoeuvring past four Phoenix shirts before chipping the ball across his body into the net.
The goal spurred the home side onto a second as Dylan Wenzell-Halls found the Frenchman for his second with a pin-point cross in the 42nd minute – leaving the visitors stunned.
Wellington would pull one back from Englishman Steven Taylor early in the second half and it appeared the Phoenix would find another.
Though it doesn’t seem Wellington accounted for Roar shot stopper Jamie Young, who once again, came to his side’s rescue to keep the visitors at bat.
Cillian Sheridan and David Williams exchanged golden chances late in the match, with the former denied by the woodwork, but were unable to find an equaliser.
The result leaves Wellington just hanging on to fourth position but puts them at risk of dropping to as low as sixth come the end of the season.
