3 minute read

A well-travelled Melbourne City side are looking to maintain their A-League momentum in a run of games back at home.

They've spent much of the A-league season interstate, but a resurgent Melbourne City will now look to cash in on a run of games in their home town.

City followed up last week's 3-2 win against defending champions Sydney FC with a 2-0 away victory over Western Sydney on Tuesday.

They won despite coach Patrick Kisnorbo not attending the game after falling sick, and losing Florin Berenguer in the warm up with an ankle twinge.

Jamie Maclaren's two goals lifted City from tenth to seventh with only two points separating them from third-placed Brisbane.

City will now play their next four fixtures in Melbourne, having played just three of their eight games at home this season.

They start with an away derby against Melbourne Victory followed by three successive home matches.

"We've done our travels early," said City assistant coach Des Buckingham, who ran the side in Kisnorbo's absence.

"We've been to Brisbane, Adelaide, we're now up here (in Sydney), then Mariners, the Jets.

"Staying (in Melbourne) really helps because every time we travel we lose not just one day, we lose two days for preparation and travel."

He said in Melbourne there's more control over the team's training schedule.

"Therefore we can prepare players for what is going to be quite a hectic schedule that's coming up a bit better."

With his brace on Tuesday, Maclaren joined Macarthur striker Matt Derbyshire on seven goals at the top of the Golden Boot leaderboard.

Buckingham pointed out that Maclaren was also adding new skills to his repertoire.

"You've seen in a different way that he was also able to link play tonight," Buckingham said.

"He's been really working at developing that side of his game."

Maclaren's second goal came from a contentious handball penalty awarded against James Troisi.

It prompted Wanderers coach Carl Robinson to air his frustration at the VAR process, which was affecting his enjoyment of the game.

"I'm feeling sorry for Jimmy (Troisi) because I think it's actually hit his leg before it's hit his arm," Robinson said.

"There was an incident earlier on the season at Newcastle when someone cleared it against their own arm and it's not a penalty.

"So I just don't know but it's starting to make me not enjoy it."

Wanderers remain fourth on the table despite successive home losses, but only two points separate them from tenth-placed Newcastle.

"It's disappointing without a doubt," Robinson said of the result.

"There's no point hiding away from it because with two wins you're in a good position, but two defeats and everyone thinks it's the end of the world.

"What I'll say is we're the same team as we were four days ago, lets not get carried away here."

Robinson said some of his players were not yet fully fit and salary cap limitations restricted his ability to add to the squad.