The Wellington Phoenix have made a dream beginning to their A-League Men season, beating Melbourne Victory 2-1.
Riley Bidois scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute to give the Nix a late lead at Hnry Stadium.
Corban Piper had already struck early on before Victory equalised to ensure the match was level at the break.
Head coach Chris Greenacre calls it the “perfect start” to the campaign.
“It was an incredible day and we’re delighted,” he told media post-match.
“I’m proud of all the players. Everyone went above and beyond today and I’m incredibly proud of the group.
“Collectively we dug in, we got our rewards and I’m delighted for everyone.
“That’s what we’re about. We’re a community club and that’s what we do. Just delighted to give them something to cheer about and hopefully they’ll come back next week.”
He couldn’t be happier for Bidois.
“That’s what he’s capable of. He’s a terrific finisher, a natural finisher and he gets himself into goalscoring positions.
“He’s one of our academy graduates from way back. He’s gone away, forged his career and I’ve always been an admirer of him.
“He adds a bit of class in front of goal and I’m absolutely delighted for him and his family.”
Chris Greenacre called on five new signings from the start, with Henry Gray, Bryce Duke, Max Anderson, Rafael Durán and James McGarry in the eleven.
He was forced into a late change as captain Alex Rufer was ruled out with illness, meaning uncontracted academy midfielder Luke Mitchell was also given a surprise start.
All in all, it was an uneventful start until Piper put the Nix in front after 14 minutes.
Mitchell sprayed a ball out to Sheridan, who drove forward and picked out the number 99 in the area, where he slammed home a header.
It was almost followed up quickly by a spectacular second, Mitchell picking up a loose ball twenty-five yards out and hammering his shot off the crossbar.
Only moments after nearly making it two, the Nix conceded. A scramble in the area saw the ball fall to Charles Nduka, who slotted home from close range.
Rafael Durán was forced off early after landing awkwardly on his ankle, so Nathan Walker replaced him after just 27 minutes.
The substitute almost made an instant impact, racing in behind from Piper’s knockdown and forcing Jack Duncan to save from the angle.
There were chances coming for Victory too. Nduka was released again with a clever flick, but made a meal of the finish, spooning it wide left.
Not much more happened before the teams returned to the sheds locked at one apiece.
It was cagey again to begin the second stanza. Nduka found his way behind the Nix backline in the 60th minute and produced a top save from Gray, but the flag went up for offside anyway.
The ‘keeper was called into action soon afterwards, tipping an awkward shot around the post.
McGarry was withdrawn just after the hour mark, and Walter Scott replaced him in his return to Wellington.
The defining moment came in the 77th minute, when Greenacre made his final change, bringing Mitchell off for Riley Bidois.
And the former academy striker could hardly have dreamed of a better start, as less than a minute after entering he ran onto a Walker cross and duly converted.
The Nix did well to see it out fairly comfortably from there, Bill Tuiloma and Lukas Kelly-Heald remaining rock-solid at the back while Gray was imperious with his aerial command.
The Wellington Phoenix men are back in action next Sunday at Hnry Stadium, when they take on Central Coast Mariners.
Wellington Phoenix: 13. Henry GRAY (gk), 7. Bryce DUKE, 8. Max ANDERSON, 9. Rafael DURÁN (17. Nathan WALKER 27th), 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. James MCGARRY (5. Walter SCOTT 62nd), 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA (c), 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 35. Luke MITCHELL (11. Riley BIDOIS 77th), 99. Corban PIPER.
Unused substitutes: 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD, 24. Xuan LOKE, 34. Dylan GARDINER, 37. Anaru CASSIDY.
Melbourne Victory: 25. Jack DUNCAN, 3. Jason DAVIDSON (c), 4. Philipp ZIEREIS (15. Thomas LOCKYER 62nd), 8. Jordi VALADON, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. SANTOS (23. Keegan JELACIC 62nd), 14. Matthew GRIMALDI (29. Michael GHOSSAINI 74th), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 18. Franco LINO, 21. Guillermo MAY (22. Xavier STELLA 74th), 44. Charles NDUKA (5. Brendan HAMILL 87th).
Unused substitutes: 1. Jack WARSHAWSKY (gk), 36. Harrison SHILLINGTON.
Goals:
99. Corban PIPER (Wellington Phoenix) – 14th
44. Charles NDUKA (Melbourne Victory) – 24th
11. Riley BIDOIS (Wellington Phoenix) – 78th
Cards:
4. Philipp ZIEREIS (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 45th
10. Denis GENREAU (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 71st
