A-League football: Wellington Phoenix remain winless after 2-1 defeat to the Newcastle Jets

Tomer Hemed of the Phoenix dejected after a missed chance. Photo / Photosport

Wellington Phoenix 1
Newcastle Jets 2

The Wellington Phoenix have been dealt a double sucker-punch by the Newcastle Jets, losing their A-League clash 2-1 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

Despite dominating possession and enjoying a clutch of chances against their previously pointless opponents, the Phoenix were hit twice on the counter-attack before a late penalty gave them hope.

Valentino Yuel with a third goal in three games and Roy O'Donovan with a 50th career A-League strike were the beneficiaries of quick Newcastle breaks to put their side 2-0 ahead.

With seven minutes remaining, Wellington midfielder Cameron Devlin was brought down as he drove into the penalty area, allowing Ulises Davila to convert from the spot.

But despite their best efforts, Wellington couldn't find an equaliser and remain without a win through their first three games of the new season, while the Jets snapped their own four-match losing streak.

Coach Ufuk Talay made two changes to his starting side, with Matt Ridenton replacing suspended defensive midfielder Alex Rufer and Jaushua Sotirio curiously preferred to Clayton Lewis – a standout in the last game – in attack.

In the opening minutes, Israeli striker Tomer Hemed had appeals for a penalty waved away after he kicked the back of Jets defender Nigel Boogaard's legs in the act of shooting.

Shortly afterwards, Yuel was put through by O'Donovan, sprinted away from the Wellington defence and produced a sublime right-footed finish across Phoenix goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and in off the far post.

Wellington then had two glorious chances to equalise with Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan producing a brilliant save to deny Luke DeVere's powerful header from a left-wing corner and Davila crashing a left-footed drive from outside the penalty area against the post and away to safety.

The Phoenix continued to dominate possession but with the visitors holding firm, they were reduced to long-range efforts which either flew wide of the goal-frame or were comfortably dealt with by Duncan. Shortly after the break they hit the woodwork for a second time, David Ball meeting Davila's right-wing corner and agonisingly guiding his header against the far post.

The Jets then punished Wellington through a second counter-attacking move as Steven Ugarkovic threaded a pass into the path of the marauding O'Donovan who coolly slotted past the advancing Marinovic.

At 2-0 down, Wellington threw bodies forward in search of a way back into the game, but were denied by a combination of wayward finishing, a packed Jets defence and good goalkeeping from Duncan until Davila's late consolation.

The Phoenix next face the league-leading Central Coast Mariners in Gosford next Sunday.

Wellington Phoenix 1 (Davila pen 85')
Newcastle Jets 2 (Yuel 8', O'Donovan 51')

Phoenix v Jets as it happened: