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Six shots, two goals. Ufuk Talay would take that strike rate every week.
The Wellington Phoenix coach was delighted with the response he received from his players, particularly their leading attackers, after emerging with a much-needed 2-0 win against Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
The result snapped a four-game winless streak and moved Phoenix to the bottom of the A-League ladder.
Ashley Feder / Getty Images
Phoenix forward David Ball opened the scoring with a deflected effort midway through the first half.
England forward David Ball scored in his first game after suspension to break the deadlock with a deflected effort in the 22nd minute before young Ben Waine fired from long range in the 53rd to complete a team clinical display.
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* Ufuk Talay upset over Wellington Phoenix’s failures at both ends of the field
* Wellington Phoenix forward David Ball sees red for an ugly challenge in a tough loss
* Wellington Phoenix loses Jaushua Sotirio through injury as they try to find the right balance
“I am very happy,” said coach Ufuk Talay. “I think the guys showed a lot of character tonight against Newcastle. Confidence can be low at times, especially when you’re not winning matches, but I thought the guys were very disciplined.
“We defended well, and I think Newcastle had a lot of ball, but not in areas where they could hurt us, so it was a change of character and most importantly we also had a clean sheet.
“If we have six shots and we score two, we are doing a good job, and luck had to change, so the first goal was a good goal from Bally, he took a detour and went close to the post and Waine’s shot was a good ending too. “
Ball missed the previous two games after receiving a two-game suspension following a red card against the Central Coast Mariners, but the former Manchester City youth had an immediate impact on his return.
Played by captain Ulises Dávila, Ball turned and positioned himself towards the goal, but his shot was deflected sharply from Jets defender Nigel Boogard and passed goalkeeper Jack Duncan at the near post.
“I thought it was exceptional today. The amount of work Bally does with the ball and without it for the team, it’s always good for your forwards to score and I’m sure he will grow from that. “
Ashley Feder / Getty Images
Ben Waine celebrates with Alex Rufer after scoring from outside the box to double the Phoenix lead.
Talay was also pleased to see Waine find the back of the net for the second time in the A-League after the New Zealand Under-20 international scored for the first time from 25 meters.
A Clayton Lewis pass bounced off Johnny Koutroumbis and fortunately landed on Waine’s road.
“I am very happy for Waineo, I am sure he is very excited about the goal he scored. But the players only get better by playing games and we have given Waineo the opportunity to play with the injuries that we have had in the last three games and I think he has done a great job for the team. “
Goalkeeper Oli Sail made four crucial saves, including one from a plummet header from Valentino Yuel early in the second half, to claim a clean sheet and further cement his starting spot after jumping ahead of Stefan Marinovic.
The game ended on a sour note when Phoenix goalkeeping coach Paul Gothard became verbally enraged at some of the Jets players. Tim Payne ushered it in, but not before Jets coach Craig Deans tried to intervene.
“I went because one of their coaches was trying to intimidate our players and I don’t think that’s right,” Deans said. “They should leave happy to have won 2-0.”
Wellington Phoenix 2 (David Ball 22 ‘, Ben Waine 53’) Newcastle Jets 0
HT: 1-0
