Shane Smeltz. Photo / Mark Mitchell
There was nothing flashy about the draw the Wellington Phoenix snatched from defending A-League champions Newcastle Jets yesterday but it was justly-deserved in overcoming the hot and sticky conditions and grabbing their point before the stadium was lashed by a storm.
So quickly did conditions deteriorate at EnergyAustralia
Stadium, referee Craig Zetter did not insist on the full two minutes of stoppage time.
After the first 45 minutes produced little better than a couple of half chances, the second came alive with Shane Smeltz scoring first and last for the Phoenix with 51st and 89th minute penalties.
It between times Tarek Elrich, with the benefit of a slight deflection, and substitute Kaz Patafta, from a move which had a broad hint of offside about it, scored for the Jets to keep their hopes of a first home win of the season alive.
In was fitting the game was played on Labour Day as both teams at times laboured to produce their best in the trying conditions.
Coach Ricki Herbert made just one change to the line-up who beat Sydney FC with captain Andrew Durante back for Manny Muscat in a re-jigged defence as Ben Sigmund switched from centre to right back.
Perhaps that led to early uncertainty which handed Adam D'Apuzzo a half chance in the opening minute and which forced an early save from Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston.
Much of the remainder of the first half was dour with only a long-range Tim Brown effort and a shot from Smeltz - after a deft interception - which hit the post and rolled kindly for Jets custodian Ante Covic giving the Phoenix much hope.
The second half was given early life when Zetter ruled against a soft challenge on veteran Phoenix striker Vaughan Coveny by Daniel Piorkowski and awarded the penalty which Smeltz wasted no time in converting.
The home side needed only eight minutes to strike back when Elrich, from outside the penalty area, lashed home as a slight deflection from Karl Dodd cost Paston any hope of covering.
That joy turned to jubilation for the 8492 fans in the 67th minute when Edmundo Zura ran on to a long ball, gathering from what was later shown as an offside position, before heading to Patafta who had a simple tap-in finish.
With the finish line in sight, the Jets conceded a second penalty - a more reasonable call than the first - when Leilei Gao was brought down by a tiring Matt Thompson.
Again Smeltz made no mistake from the spot as his sixth goal of the season pitched him back to a share of the lead in the golden boot race with Melbourne's Danny Allsopp.
The Phoenix have just six days before they are again back on the NSW coast to play Central Coast Mariners.
