Football: Late goal sinks Wellington Phoenix

Ben Sigmund of the Phoenix and Frederico Piovaccari of the Wanderers contest the ball. Photo / Getty

A determined defensive rearguard has not been enough for the Wellington Phoenix to hold off the Western Sydney Wanderers tonight.

An 85th minute goal to Wanderers striker Mark Bridge gave the hosts a deserved 2-1 victory over a Phoenix side who fought against a lack of possession and diminishing reserves throughout the clash.

Despite battling against Vince Lia being injured, Michael McGlinchey fatigued and Ben Sigmund substituted in the second half due to sickness, the Phoenix looked to have held steady against a compact and composed Wanderers outfit.

The dichotomy between the two sides was stark throughout the game, with the Phoenix struggling to retain the ball in the middle of the park. Mistimed and poorly weighted passes in the final third left their quick-footed strikers and wingers lacking service, despite providing dangerous runs and intelligent movement.

On the other hand, the Wanderers were dominating possession through measured and patient buildup. The Phoenix midfielders tasked with winning the 50/50 balls in midfield - Albert Riera and Alex Rodriguez - both picked up early yellow cards, limiting the bite and tenacity required to create midfield turnovers and win back possession.

The Wanderers had jumped out to an early lead thanks to a clinical counter-attack after McGlinchey's free-kick cannoned off the crossbar with Western Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne stranded. The ball fell favourably for the hosts, who capitalised on the Phoenix's high line to escape on a two-on-one break which saw Federico Piovaccari eventually roll it home into an empty net.

While the Wanderers' goal was opportunistic, the Phoenix responded with a rarity - a goal to Manny Muscat.

The Wellington left back nabbed his fourth goal in eight seasons with a curling right-footed low strike into the bottom left corner to level the contest against the run of play.

As a result of the Wanderers' weight of possession and territory, Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss was called into action several times before the half, sprawling in all directions to keep the hosts from going ahead again.

Moss was required less in the sloppy second spell, as his defensive backline put up a strong stand. As fouls and injuries contained the free-flowing nature of the contest, the Wanderers' accurate passing began to stray. As Western Sydney piled on the pressure, a mixture of fully committed blocks, tackles of brilliant technique and goalline clearances kept them at bay.

Skipper Andrew Durante was at the heart of the resolve, helped out by a fine performance by Justin Gulley and a committed cameo from Louis Fenton.

Just as they looked to have held on for a valuable road point, Bridge struck - the substitute crushing home an unstoppable strike after getting on the end of a corner at the far post.

The loss keeps the Phoenix in sixth spot on the A-League ladder, and they will now have to recuperate before their short turnaround, taking on Sydney FC next Thursday.