This season has made me fall in love with the A-League all over again A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Ben Waine’s header in the 90th minute of Wellington’s 3-2 win over Western United was yet another highlight in what might just be the most enjoyable A-League season ever.
Waine shares an apartment in Wollongong with fellow youngster Sam Sutton, so perhaps it was no surprise to see him instinctively get in between Andrew Durante and substitute Brendan Hamill to nod home the winner from Sutton’s cross.
Wellington Phoenix have pulled off a last-gasp win over Western United after teenagers Sam Sutton and Ben Waine combined for the winning goal in stoppage time.
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The visitors looked set to get full points at Central Coast Stadium until Luke Bodnar made contact with Matt Simon s head in the box, prompting a review by the VAR.
Referee Kurt Ams pointed to the spot and Simon made no mistake to level a match of the highest quality despite less than ideal conditions.
The clash was delayed by half an hour due to the heavy rain but when it got going there was little let up.
The Mariners were rewarded first for their enterprising start when Costa Rica international Marco Urena, a constant menace in the opening stanza, scored in the 25th minute.
The weight of another defeat evident on his shoulders, Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner has promised some “tough, hard conversations” with his playing group following his side’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets and admitted that, at the moment, Victory fans were “justified” in their frustrated boos.
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The Jets struck through 50th-gamer Angus Thurgate in the 72nd minute but could easily have taken the advantage earlier - after having two massive penalty shouts controversially waved away in the second half.
Newcastle are now five games unbeaten, but it was a rough day from last-placed Victory - who have now lost five of their opening seven matches - in front of 5,166 fans.
Grant Brebner dropped skipper Leigh Broxham to the bench, with Adama Traore given the captain s armband, while Callum McManaman returned from injury.
Newcastle dominated possession early and put Victory on the back foot, but failed to capitalise - and as the half went on, McManaman was dominant on the right-wing, creating multiple chances.