Torrential rain hampers City

Matthew Leckie, right, celebrates with teammate Andrew Nabbout after scoring for Melbourne City against Perth Glory. 271497 Picture: AAP IMAGES

By Lachlan Mitchell

Melbourne City’s Sunday twilight clash against Wellington Phoenix in Gosford was postponed after a heavy down pour deemed the pitch unplayable.

City was going into the fixture after squandering a two-goal head start to draw against Perth Glory at home. Florin Berenguer once again showed fans why he signed a new one-year contract putting City ahead in the eighth minute.

Mathew Leckie reassured everyone of his class, finding himself in space within the 18-yard-box and curling a ball past the keeper for his side’s second. The goal was Leckie’s sixth goal in seven matches.

Melbourne were then haunted by a friend of the past as former City striker Bruno Fornaroli found himself with a free-header on the back post for Glory’s first. The Fornaroli goal was his 33rd goal at AAMI Park for the Uruguayan International.

After the half-time interval it looked as if City would forge ahead. A Callum Timmins power-strike from outside the box saw Glory square the ledger in the 56th minute.

Melbourne continued to create chances but unfortunately could not break the deadlock, the game ending in two-all score line.

City continues to have mid-week games to make up for missed opportunities from earlier in the season. The boys in blue take on new franchise Macarthur FC on Wednesday night.

Saturday night’s fixture against old rivals Melbourne Victory is one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar.

The two teams faced-off in December for a two-all draw. The grudge match has had some memorable moments going back, with City’s seven-nil victory in 2021 one of the high points for City supporters.