Wellington record comfortable home win over Newcastle

Wellington record comfortable home win over Newcastle

04.11.09 | Andrew Slevison

The goals keep flowing at home for the Phoenix after tonight's 3-0 win against the Newcastle Jets.

Wellington Phoenix: 3 (Tim Brown ‘27, Chris Greenacre ‘55, Paul Ifill 90th)
Newcastle Jets: 0
Venue:Westpac Stadium

The Phoenix begun brightly, having most of the possession and plenty of forward forays and their good attacking work paid off in the 27th minute when youngster Costa Barbarouses whipped a shot towards Jets keeper Ben Kennedy but he couldn’t hold on and midfielder Tim Brown was on hand to tap in from close range to open the home team’s account.

Both keepers were called on in the first half with Kennedy being the busiest gloveman as the Phoenix continued to assert their authority on the contest.

A reflex save from a Barbarouses volley was the best of Kennedy’s efforts whilst Wellington’s Reece Crowther was only called on once early but his save from a Michael Bridges header kept his team in front.

The Jets enjoyed a good spell just prior to half-time forcing Crowther into a another save from a Kaz Patafta strike whilst Bridges could not get the ball from out under his feet before the Phoenix defence came from all areas to keep the danger away.

In the 55th minute, the Phoenix doubled their advantage when Paul Ifill broke down the left flank before crossing into the area where the crafty Barbarouses supplied an easy finish for Chris Greenacre with a sublime back heel .

Ifill rounded out the scoring in the 90th minute to the delight of the home fans.