WaiBoP throw away two-goal advantage
WaiBoP’s Robbie Greenhalgh finds a new way to slow Wellington Phoenix Reserves player Tamupiwa Dimairo at John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge. WaiBOP United hit cruise control with a 2-0 lead on Saturday but forgot they still had to steer the car.
After a Chad Coombes double gave WaiBoP a healthy lead, the Wellington Phoenix reserves came back to win 3-2 with Joel Stevens slotting an 88thminute winner.
Composure, or a lack of it, seemed to hit WaiBOP in the second half of the ASB Premiership match at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge.
Needless fouls at one end and loose finishing at the other as the game weaved to an end saw WaiBOP punished.
In the 10 minutes after Ruairi CahillFleury equalised for the Phoenix, WaiBoP had waves of attacks repelled.
It was poor finishing, poor passing in the final third and a couple of good saves that kept WaiBoP from reclaiming the lead. Boy did they pay.
In truth, the Phoenix started much the better of the sides, dominating early possession as they passed their way around WaiBoP’s half of the field.
It was two injuries which halted the Phoenix’s momentum, particularly a serious-looking injury to Josh Brindall-
Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King/Fairfax NZ
South. Brindall-South seemed to take an awkward tumble after a fierce challenge, damaging his right arm.
It took more than five minutes for Brindall-South to be taken from the field and nearly another hour before he could move from a pitch-side booth.
Kwabena Appiah also came off injured in the first half for the Phoenix, and Coombes took advantage. His first was a well-taken strike from the edge of the penalty area after the ball was squared behind the Phoenix’s back four.
The second was thanks to pure determination, chasing down goalkeeper Oliver Sail as he tried to shield the ball. Coombes nipped the ball away and fired into an empty net.
Andrew Blake gave the Phoenix hope in the fourth minute of first-half injury time, smashing one in off the post.
Then the Phoenix kept their composure in the second half to take the spoils.
The loss drops WaiBoP to seventh on the competition table, five points from the playoff places with two matches remaining.
They’ll need a miracle to make the playoffs.
WaiBoP’s next match is against Hawke’s Bay United away on Sunday.