Wellington Phoenix record vital away win over Newcastle Jets

Wellington Phoenix ended a great week of football for New Zealand and coach Ricki Herbert by defeating Newcastle Jets away.

Following on from the All Whites World Cup qualification last Saturday, the Phoenix managed to score an early goal and maintain their lead over the Jets to push ahead on the A-League table.

Newcastle Jets: 0
Wellington Phoenix: 1 (Paul Ifill ‘14)
Venue: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Venue: 4,239

The Phoenix continued their good recent form early in the encounter when British import Paul Ifill got on the end of a Tony Lochhead cross and guided it home from close range with a high-footed volley to give his side the ascendency.

The remainder of the first half was a lacklustre affair with the Newcastle Jets unable to produce any chances that threatened Wellington keeper Mark Paston.

Jets shot-stopper Neil Young was on hand to make a brilliant reflex save in the first minute of the second half when Phoenix’s Leo Bertos whipped a cross into Ifill who flicked a deft touch goal ward but Young’s fingertips kept his side in the contest.

Young was called on again just after the hour-mark when Bertos nonchalantly strode down the left flank and struck a left-foot shot towards goal but the bouncing ball was again knocked to safety as the visitors looked to double their lead.

Five minutes later, Jets forward Labinot Haliti was played on-side but his right-foot shot from an acute angle was easily held on to by Paston.

Newcastle could not make any leeway during the latter stages of the match as the Phoenix went on to record an important away victory that put them fifth on the table.