Wellington Phoenix have heaped more despair on defending A-League champions Central Coast Mariner with a 3-0 at Gosford.

Rebounding from their disappointing defeat in the first-ever Kiwi derby against Auckland FC, the team from the capital re-entered the competition’s top four, as their rivals were left still searching for their first victory in their title defence.

These teams filled the top two positions on the ladder last season, with the Mariners virtually clinching the top spot with a home win in April. Their other meeting ended in a scoreless draw at Wellington.

Phoenix were on the scoreboard, when Japanese Hideki Ishige converted a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, leaving Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen no chance.

With halftime approaching, they went two goals up, when Ishige broke down the left and found striker Kosta Barbarouses with a sublime cross to the far post. He made no mistake.

Central Coast had their chances in the first half and actually put more shots on goal (4-3) than their rivals, without reward.

The visitors had the advantage of a strong wind at their backs over the opening 45 minutes and turned to play into that for the second half.

They put the contest beyond doubt soon after the restart, when Sam Sutton made a run into the penalty area and had the ball deflected back into his path by a defender to nudge past the keeper.

Tim Payne narrowly missed an open Ishige in front of goal, while the Mariners defence did just enough to crowd Barbarouses off the ball, as he looked threatening. Soon after, the star striker fell awkwardly in a challenge and was subbed off immediately, leaving down the tunnel for treatment, with All Whites duty looming.

“I felt a click when I rolled over the ball, but I’m told everything is in place, so good to go heading into national camp tomorrow, which is good,” he confirmed afterwards.

The Mariners produced a chance, when substitute Bailey Brandtman found himself open inside the box, but blazed over the crossbar. He manufactured another opening on the right, as he accepted a return pass, but his effort was blocked by Phoenix keeper Josh Oluwayemi.

Wellington defender Tim Payne put Stefan Colakovski into space, but his shot was met by Peraic-Cullen.

All White Storm Roux brought up 250 A-League matches, when he entered the contest for Central Coast with less than 10 minutes remaining.

“I thought we were very positive from the start,” said Barbarouses. “We punished them with the chances we had and then, building on last year, we gave them very little in terms of openings.

“They had a few long shots, which we dealt with quite comfortably, but very happy with the performance. That was a good platform – we go into international break with a bit to work on, which is great.”

The Phoenix next face top-of-the-table Melbourne Victory, who eliminated them in last season’s A-League semifinals.

Wellington Phoenix 3 (Ishige, Barbarouses, Sutton) Central Coast Mariners 0