Wellington Phoenix 2
Sydney FC 1
New signings have a habit of scoring on home debut in Wellington but Nick Ward's winning goal will go down as one of the best.
Ward introduced himself to Wellington Phoenix's home fans by scoring a spectacular winner in their 2-1 win against Sydney FC last night.
With the scores level at 1-1 and the match in desperate need of some life, the former Melbourne Victory midfielder regathered a one-two pass from striker Chris Greenacre and drove a superb 72nd minute shot into the top right-hand corner to hand the Phoenix a much-needed win.
The three points were vital for coach Ricki Herbert's side, who were coming off two losses on the road and are facing the prospect of consecutive matches in Melbourne this week - against Victory on Wednesday and Heart on Sunday.
They move from eighth to fifth on the points ladder with a two-win, two-loss, one-draw record and will be right in the mix as they again turn their attention to trying to win away from home.
Aside from Ward's wonder-strike and a return to form from their talisman Paul Ifill, there were few positives from a largely uninspiring match between two very good teams struggling for form.
Ifill was the player most likely to have the spectators on the edge of their seats and it was perhaps fitting he scored the opening goal, a 50th minute penalty after a dour first half had ended at 0-0.
Ifill sent Sydney goalkeeper Liam Reddy, the man who played such an important role in Phoenix colours last season, the wrong way from the spot after referee Chris Beath had adjudged Sydney striker Bruno Cazarine to have fouled Ben Sigmund when he clumsily climbed over the defender at a corner.
It was Ifill's third goal in five matches this season.
Sydney struck back in the 67th minute with a neatly worked one-two between Mark Bridge and Cazarine, who atoned for his earlier indiscretion with a top-class finish past Phoenix debutant Danny Vukovic.
But the moment of the match came five minutes later when Ward rifled home the winner from the edge of the penalty area.
He followed in the footsteps of Shane Smeltz, Daniel, Ahmad Elrich, Paul Ifill, Eugene Dadi and Dylan Macallister, who are among those to have scored in their first match in Wellington.
There was some late scrambling by Sydney and they almost pinched an equaliser, but the Phoenix defended desperately to record their 22nd consecutive match without a loss in Wellington.
They are one match short of equalling the all-time Australian national league record, with Sydney United having gone 23 matches undefeated at their Sydney United Sports Centre base between 1996 and 1999.
The second half was far cry from the first, in which both teams showed no conviction going forward.
Tim Brown had the best chance of the half for the home team but could only watch his header hit the crossbar.
Herbert made four changes to the team that started in last Sunday's 2-1 away loss against Perth Glory.
Former Central Coast star Vukovic made his club debut in goal, replacing All Whites stopper Mark Paston (neck injury). He had a couple of nervous moments when he ventured outside the penalty box but was otherwise untroubled.
Midfielder Vince Lia was also ruled out through injury (hamstring strain), Manny Muscat returning from international duty with Malta to take his place as the holding midfielder.
Ward started in midfield, replacing targetman Macallister, and Leo Bertos, dropped for the Perth match after a dip in form showed he is not far away from returning to form after getting a start.
- NZPA
