Welington Phoenix 1
Perth Glory 0
The Wellington Phoenix scored the quickest goal of the A-League soccer season and then put the defensive clamps on the Perth Glory to notch a relieving 1-0 win last night.
A goal after 41 seconds to midfielder Tim Brown set the scene for Wellington's first away win of the season and just their third clean sheet as the defence stood tall in hot conditions at Perth's nib Stadium.
Victory in a match that was stop-start in nature due to the heat and some heavy midfield tackling breathes life into the Phoenix season after four matches without a win. That included Wednesday's 4-1 humbling against leaders Brisbane, ending their 24-match unbeaten home streak.
Wellington remain in seventh place but are now just two points outside the top six as the halfway point of the season nears.
The struggling Perth are still one place below them - with both teams having come into the game on 12 points - but the hosts have now lost seven of their last eight games and are fast falling from the pace.
They were shellshocked by Brown's decisive strike soon after Phoenix gained possession for the first time. The ball wasn't cleared properly and the All Whites midfielder nonchalantly volleyed home with his left foot from the top of the box.
After frequent tinkering of late, Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert named the same 11 and 4-3-3 formation which struggled against Brisbane.
Aside from some slack work in the opening minutes, they played with far greater discipline and composure, rarely looked like ceding their lead.
Goalkeeper Mark Paston and defenders Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund, Marcus North and Manny Muscat were much improved on recent weeks while the midfield had a slight edge in a bruising contest.
Paul Ifill missed two clear chances to put Wellington two goals up as he struggles to regain his confidence.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Sydney FC got their season off the ground, moving off the bottom of the ladder for the first time this year with a 1-0 win over Newcastle yesterday.
- NZPA
