Soccer: Pearce penalty preserves Waitakere's unbeaten record

Wellington A's Tony Lochhead (left) loses out to United's Allan Pearce yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Waitakere United kept their season-long unbeaten record intact with a no-frills 1-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix A in their ASB Challenge Series clash last night.

Overall the outcome, decided from the penalty spot, was a fair reflection on the merits of the two teams.

For long periods the game lacked the intensity of a full-on competition match but both coaches seemed happy with what they saw, with the young players in particular being singled out for their efforts.

"For the first 10 minutes they [Waitakere] got the better of us but once we settled it was alright," said Phoenix coach Jonathan Gould. "We got caught out a little in making so many substitutions with players not really hitting the pitch running.

"In the end we could have got something when we had one cleared off the line but overall I'm happy especially with the way we handled their pace up front."

Waitakere coach Neil Emblen was happy too. "For a long time it was a little like a training game but overall I thought we performed well," he said.

"I was happy with what we did defensively in limiting their scoring chances the way we did."

Like most, Emblen singled out central defender Tim Myers as being his outstanding player.

"Timmy was keen to test himself against a professional like Pavlovic and I thought he did brilliantly. I also thought Ant Hobbs was very good."

Both coaches emptied their benches to give all the players game time. Tony Lochhead, eyeing a return to the Phoenix first team, got through the first half with no apparent problems as coach Ricki Herbert looked on.

The only goal came in the 66th minute when Allan Pearce none-too-convincingly converted the penalty after Dakota Lucas had been brought down by goalkeeper Reece Crowther.

Substitutes Ryan Elder and Michael Gwyther combined well in the 74th minute with Gwyther testing Crowther who spilled the ball clear for a corner.

Andy Bevin had the last chance for the visitors only to be denied by a desperate goal-line save from Chris Bale.

The Phoenix have another of the challenge matches against Hawkes Bay United next Wednesday