Archie’s big day ends in misery
THE Archie Thompson phenomenon has Ernie Merrick’s fingerprints all over it but yesterday the former Melbourne Victory coach spoiled the striker’s big day.
Victory led as Thompson was about to come on in his 200th A-League game, but Wellington Phoenix scored twice in the last 22 minutes to snatch a spectacular maiden win in Melbourne.
Roly Bonevacia and Nathan Burns were Phoenix’s stars in the 3-2 win, though Victory can count itself stiff after dominating for large periods and missing an early penalty.
And question marks surround Phoenix’s third, with Burns scoring after coming back from an offside position.
Burns was 30m offside when Michael Boxall fended off a Nick Ansell challenge and broke down the right.
Boxall surged forward and with only Coe to beat, centred for Burns, who by now was onside, with the Socceroo left a simple tap in.
Victory was dominating early in the second half, but Muscat was left to rue his decision to pull off the influential Gui Finkler, who was winning an epic duel with Albert Riera.
He was replaced by Thompson, who slid in a delightful pass to Besart Berisha, but couldn’t do much else.
Scott Galloway opened the scoring when he stormed down the left and sent in a decent cross. Though cleared, he reacted quickest and shot with his right, putting it under keeper Glen Moss.
As halftime neared, Jason Geria fouled Roy Krisha in the attacking third.
Dutchman Bonevacia stepped up to send a stunning 30m free-kick into the top left corner.
Carl Valeri penetrated into the area early in the second half, delayed and released at the precise time for Kosta Barbarouses, the same man who found him, who touched and calmly dinked it home.
Phoenix again made the home side pay, with unmarked Boxall heading home Bonevacia’s teasing free-kick on 68 minutes.
And with 13 minutes of normal time left, Burns scored his contentious goal.