The Wellington Phoenix have now gone four years without a defeat against the Perth Glory following Saturday night’s 2-0 success at HBF Park.
Goals in either side of halftime from Scott Wootton and Tim Payne secured Wellington’s first win of the 2024-25 A-League season, after last week’s 1-1 draw with Western United
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Last season’s semifinalists the Phoenix – who made the gruelling trek from Wellington to Perth – have not lost to Perth since August 2020, a run of 11 matches.
For the Glory, it condemned David Zdrilic’s new-look side to back-to-back defeats after their 6-1 humbling at the hands of Macarthur Bulls.
Glory owner Ross Pelligra was in attendance for Perth’s home opener and the hosts made a bright start in front of their fans.
Socceroos forward and captain Adam Taggart – the reigning Golden Boot winner – came close inside the first 15 minutes, having headed just wide in the 11th minute before his audacious long-range attempt caused problems four minutes later.
But Giancarlo Italiano’s Wellington weathered the storm and managed to head into the interval with the lead.
After some set-pieces in dangerous areas, the ‘Nix punished the Glory as Wootton headed home Hideki Ishige’s sublime delivery in the 40th minute. It was Wootton’s first goal in 931 days.
Wellington doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half when another of the Phoenix’s Japanese recruits – Kazuki Nagasawa – picked out Payne, who found the back of the net with a routine header.
Perth huffed and puffed in the second half, and they created their best chance in the 63rd minute.
David Williams picked out Nicholas Pennington but the former Wellington midfielder’s header flashed agonisingly wide of the post. It could have been 3-0 for the Phoenix late on but skipper Alex Rufer rattled the woodwork.
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Scott Wootton 39', Tim Payne 49') Perth Glory 0. HT: 1-0