Wellington Phoenix 3
Western United 2
The Wellington Phoenix's two teenage academy products have combined to keep their side's A-League playoff hopes alive, clinching a last-gasp 3-2 win over Western United at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
With the scores locked at 2-2 in the 90th minute, Sam Sutton – starting for the first time this season – found fellow 19-year-old Ben Waine with a precise cross, with Waine gleefully heading home the winner in a five-goal thriller.
The win lifts the Phoenix to ninth on the ladder, seven points outside the playoff spots with ten games to play.
Having fallen 1-0 behind and then gone 2-1 ahead, it appeared the Phoenix would have to settle for a point before Waine – recalled to the starting side for the injured Tomer Hemed – rose to power home Sutton's cross. There was a nervous moment as the goal was checked by VAR before eventually being awarded.