Nile Walwyn made a crucial cross that resulted in the first goal for Hawke's Bay United. PHOTO/FILE
Nile Walwyn made a crucial cross that resulted in the first goal for Hawke's Bay United. PHOTO/FILE
Hawke's Bay United methodically wore down Wellington Phoenix Under-20 in Napier today for a 2-0 victory.
The Thirsty Whale-sponsored side created several opportunities in a fast-flowing affair but lacked the impetus to find the net with more consistency.
But the Finlay Milne-captained side would be simply delighted to bag threepoints to get back on track in their Stirling Sports Premiership campaign with Christmas approaching.
The Andy Hedge-coached Phoenix also had enough possession and territory to worry the hosts' defence but the premiership giant killers took too many wrong options, especially Logan Rogerson who had numerous opportunities to put a teammate to score but opted to either shoot it himself from difficult angles or lose the ball.
In the 13th minute, striker Sam Mason-Smith had a one on one with Nix goalkeeper Oliver Sail in side the 18m box on the counterattack but his wormburner rebounded off the keeper.
But two minutes later the visitors' couldn't do much when Bay striker Angus Kilkolly latched on to a Nile Walyn cross from the right wing to the far post to drill it into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Phoenix opened up the Bay defence a few times, especially on the hosts' right flank but their finishing left little to be desired.
In the 79th minute, striker Saul Halpin couldn't believe his luck when he got a ball on the left flank but again the money shot wasn't up to standard. The top scorer looked a little lethargic on a cloudy day.
However, substitute Facundo Barbero didn't make a mistake three minutes later when the Argentine striker received a well-timed cross from the left flank from Fergus Neil, took a touch and poked it into the net past a diving Sail for a 2-0 lead.
The Bay play Southern United in a 2pm kick off at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, this Saturday.
