Wellington Phoenix 2
Melbourne Victory 2
Paul Ifill has refound his mojo and now it just needs the rest of his team-mates to follow his lead.
The Barbadian international scored a brilliant late goal last night to go with the two he bagged in the 2-0 win over the Melbourne Heart on Wednesday. He's now taken his season's tally to seven and leads the race for the A-League's golden boot.
His 84th-minute bullet inside the right-hand post, after a customary mazy run, was reward for a fine individual display.
He's had a poor season by his standards but the swagger, the jinking runs and the dangerous shots seem to be returning. They need to if Wellington stand any chance of making an impact this season because he is easily their most potent weapon.
The Phoenix will be happy with the point last night. They were second best for most of the game but came home with the wind in their sails and nearly secured an unlikely win.
It also means they are unbeaten in their last two starts. That might not sound great but, considering where they have been - just one win in seven previous games before the defeat of the Heart - it is important.
The confidence that was shot less than a week ago will start to flow back, which will be vital with three games on the road (Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast) in the next fortnight.
These two results aren't exactly the season-defining statement they made last year, when they beat Gold Coast 6-0 and went on a terrific run that ended just one game short of the grand final, but it will give them a chance.
They still aren't playing to their potential. They were carved open too easily at the back last night by a slick Victory side - newcomer James Musa looked hesitant playing at left back - and struggled for a share of possession. They also lacked the intensity they showed against the Heart and their passing was often ponderous.
But it is momentum and that is a powerful thing.
Wellington started the game well and could have taken a lead as early as the seventh minute when Tim Brown rounded goalkeeper Michael Petkovic but the All Whites midfielder blasted his left-footed shot into the sidenetting as the angle started to close.
He didn't miss 11 minutes later when he finished off a superb build-up that included Vince Lia and Troy Hearfield, and Brown has now scored four this season.
Ifill (13 goals) and Brown (eight) were integral to Wellington's success last season and it might be more than just coincidence the pair are rediscovering their scoring touch.
Brown's goal last night, however, merely sparked Melbourne into action and they dominated the next 60 minutes. Archie Thompson became the first player to score 50 A-League goals when he took advantage of some dreadful defending in the 21st minute and Robbie Kruse rounded off an excellent build-up just before halftime.
Wellington were chasing shadows and players were dragged out of position as the Victory played some nice one-touch football.
Melbourne tried to slow things down in the second spell as they protected their 2-1 lead but it came back to bite them when Ifill scored.
Coach Ricki Herbert, who has been a man under considerable pressure in recent days, got good value out of his bench players, especially Nick Ward and Marco Rojas. They provided badly-needed creativity and penetration most of their team-mates were lacking.
It's too early to say Wellington's season has turned a corner. They aren't playing well enough to pronounce that with any conviction.
But Paul Ifill might just have given them hope.
