New Wellington recruit Nick Ward scored a stunning winner to extend Sydney FC’s winless start to the A-League season in a 2-1 win at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Ward, who joined the Phoenix from Melbourne Victory last month, scored with a fine effort from outside the box in the 72nd minute in his first start for his new club.
The goal broke the deadlock after Sydney’s Brazilian strike Bruno Cazarine scored his first goal for the club to level the scores at 1-1 five minutes earlier.
Cazarine was also involved when the Phoenix opened the scoring in the 50th minute, after he was adjudged to have pushed over Ben Sigmund in the box.
Referee Chris Beath pointed to the spot, with Wellington’s star striker Paul Ifill stepping up to convert the penalty in front of 8,453 fans.
Defending champions Sydney, who were missing injured stars Nick Carle (toe), Alex Brosque (ankle) and Terry McFlynn (hamstring), remain stuck in last place and are without a win in the opening six rounds.
The result ensured it became their longest winless streak in six seasons of the A-League.
The Phoenix, meanwhile, stretched their unbeaten run at Westpac Stadium to 22 matches.
“I think we were really good tonight, I think we got back to what this team is about,” Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said.
“There was good energy. A couple of examples were Paul Ifill and Leo Bertos, who went the journey tonight. I think they proved a few critics wrong.
“Nicky gives you that little bit extra. Put the goal aside, he’s clever, his decision making is good, and he adds variety for us.”
Ward’s effort was one of the goals of the season so far as he regathered a one-two pass from striker Chris Greenacre and made the sweetest of contact to drive into the top right-hand corner.
He followed in the footsteps of Shane Smeltz, Daniel, Ahmad Elrich, Paul Ifill, Eugene Dadi and Dylan Macallister among those to have scored in their first match in Wellington.
It ensured a vital three points for Herbert’s side, who were coming off two losses on the road and face the prospect of consecutive matches in Melbourne this week — against Victory on Wednesday and Heart on Sunday.
Sydney at least produced an improved performance on last week’s 3-1 home loss to Adelaide and coach Vitezslav Lavicka would have been pleased to see Cazarine net on his starting debut.
He worked a neat one-two between Mark Bridge and produced a top-class finish past Phoenix debutant Danny Vukovic after Bridge put him clear on goal with a brilliant defence-splitting pass.
Phoenix midfielder Tim Brown had the best chance of a scoreless first half, hitting the crossbar with a header after some dazzling lead-up work from Ifill.
The Sky Blues have the bye next week, which will afford them valuable time as they look to get their best players back on the park.
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