Soccer: Adelaide gain confidence ahead of Phoenix clash

Iain Ramsey of Adelaide shoots at goal under pressure from Kristian Rees of the Gold Coast. Photo / Getty Images

Adelaide United warmed up for this week's trip to play the Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park with a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Gold Coast United. It was Adelaide's second win of the season and jumped them above the Phoenix and into seventh place.

Like the Phoenix, Adelaide have averaged a goal a game in the first six rounds but defensively they have the worst record conceding 12 including seven against Brisbane Roar who could only get one in the Phoenix's net in their 1-1 draw on Sunday night.

Saturday's trip will be a return to Auckland for Zenon Caravella. The midfielder played in the inaugural Hyundai A-League season for the New Zealand Knights.

He was targeted by his former Gold Coast teammates at Hindmarsh Stadium in the opening game of the round.

Caravella was fouled four times early but had the last laugh when he opened the scoring for United in the 57th minute. James Brown, second in the golden boot race, equalised for Gold Coast 10 minutes later before Iain Ramsay sealed the home team's victory in the 69th minute.

The upset of the round came at AAMI Park where Melbourne Heart, with three second-half goals, beat Newcastle Jets 3-0 to snatch their first win of the season.

Fred gave the Heart their 66th-minute lead. Mate Dugandzic added the second seven minutes later before Aziz Behich completed the victory five minutes from time.

Perth Glory, after three wins to start their campaign, slumped to their third straight loss in front of 9046 fans at nib Stadium.

Coach Ian Ferguson rang the changes after two losses on the road including sending new signing Travis Dodd to the bench.

All to no avail as Sydney FC took the lead as Mark Bridge, set up by Nick Carle, scored the only goal of the match in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

After keeping pace with Brisbane Roar at the top of the table, the Glory have dropped to third - five points out of the lead and two behind Sydney.

Melbourne Victory travelled to play Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium and returned home with a point following their third scoreless draw - and fourth draw overall.

It was a much-rearranged Victory side following their gutsy effort against Brisbane Roar when they drew 2-2 after having two players sent off. Included in the five changes was a first outing for the season for Matthew Kemp.

All Whites midfielder Michael McGlinchey went close for the Mariners - his 29th-minute shot slipping through the goalkeeper's hands before being cleared off the line by a defender.

Ricki Herbert, preparing for a first outing at Eden Park, will have another anxious week as he sorts through the injury list.

Herbert said he was very proud of his players in battling to hold on for the 1-1 draw at Suncorp Stadium.