Jets down Phoenix in pre-season clash

Michael McGlinchey’s Wellington Phoenix debut ended in defeat as the 10-man Jets registered a 2-1 pre-season win at Newcastle’s Wanderers Oval on Saturday.

The All Whites midfielder started the match after finally signing with the Phoenix on Friday after a three-month tug-of-war with the Central Coast Mariners. McGlinchey almost made a dream start, rattling the crossbar in the seventh minute.

Newcastle forward Joel Griffiths opened the scoring with a 22nd minute penalty after Tom Doyle was judged to have handled in the box.

But the door was opened for the Phoenix when Jets midfielder Ben Kantarovski was sent off for a rash challenge on Albert Riera in the 55th minute.

Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie, who scored his first All Whites goal against Uzbekistan last week, took advantage on the hour mark when he shook off a couple of Jets defenders and beat goalkeeper Mark Birighitti from the edge of the area.

But Newcastle forward James Virgili scored what proved to be the winner, latching onto a through ball from classy Argentine Marcos Flores and finishing past advancing Phoenix goalkeeper Lewis Italiano. The Phoenix now move to Sydney for games against Sydney United tomorrow and Sydney FC on Friday.

The full Phoenix squad has travelled and coach Ernie Merrick said every player would get a run.

‘‘It will allow me to fine-tune things,’’ Merrick said. ‘‘Get our formation right in attack, our combination play, our movement play up front and iron out any problems defensively.’’

Despite the on-field loss, the Phoenix have had a win off it, with Football Federation Australia changing its rules and

Photo: Kevin Stent

allowing the Phoenix to sign three youth players to complement its A-League squad. Up till now the Australian clubs have been allowed three additional under-20 pros on the books but the Phoenix have not.

‘‘Now we’re going to be competing on the same level as all the other A-League teams,’’ Merrick said.