David Ball. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
FOOTBALL
PHOENIX 7 WAI UTD 0
Ufuk Talay’s reign as head coach at Wellington Phoenix started in the best possible way with a 7-0 win over Central League side, Wairarapa United on Wednesday.
Jaushua Sotirio gave Phoenix the lead early in the first half after clever play from import striker, David Ball. The Englishman beat his man into the box and set up Sotirio to slot in from six metres out.
Despite several promising attacks from Wairarapa United and their dangerous attacker, Seule Soromon, the defensive duo of Steven Taylor and Luke DeVere coped with the pressure.
Mexican striker Ulises Davila unleashed a tremendous curling effort to double the lead.
Davila wriggled free of his defender inside the home box and rifled his shot in beyond Scott Morris in the Wairarapa goal.
Halfway through the opening 45 minutes, Cameron Devlin added to the scoreline with a sublime volley.
The Phoenix added a fourth thanks to Ball, who capitalised on a loose ball inside the home box.
Despite the resilient United side, Phoenix claimed another goal shortly before the interval.
It was Ball once again, managing to create some space for himself inside the box, rasped his shot into the top corner to further the lead.
There were two changes at the break, with Stefan Marinovic making way for Oli Sail and youngster Benjamin Waine coming on for Ball.
Waine made an instant impact, making a run in behind before laying it off for Davila whose audacious chip landed on top of the goal.
Defender Cacace then made it six after a great pass from Sotirio.
The final goal of the evening was kept for Sotirio who bagged a second, this time capitalising on a Waine rebound.
United remained in the game and forced a smart save from Sail. The goalkeeper tipped over a powerful effort from distance to keep a clean sheet.
– Phoenix.com
