Adelaide United have now recorded their longest away winning run in Isuzu UTE A-League history after a 2-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix saw them make it six-straight wins on the road.
The home side found themselves behind after just seven minutes at Sky Stadium as Englishman Zac Clough’s whipped ball into the six-yard box was steered into his own net by right back Matthew Sheridan.
Despite the away side looking likely to add a second it was Wellington who scored the game’s next goal as Corban Piper leapt highest at a corner to power his side back into the contest in the 50th minute.
Brought on in the 66th minute, striker Luka Jovanovic bagged his second goal in as many matches after a goalkeeping error from Josh Oluwayemi gave the young striker the easiest of tap ins.
The Phoenix desperately searched for an equaliser but the Reds held on for their sixth-straight away win to move clear at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League with 24 points from 11 games.
As for Wellington, the ‘Nix have now lost five of their last six matches and could find themselves as low as 11th on the ladder by the end of the round.
Adelaide controlled the early possession of the game and they made the breakthrough in the 7th minute; Clough’s dangerous ball into the box was turned into his own net by young defender Sheridan.
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Slow starts have become a thing for Giancarlo Italiano’s side this season with that early own goal meaning the ‘Nix have now conceded inside the opening ten minutes in four of their last five matches.
Whilst Phoenix keeper Oluwayemi wasn’t forced into any major saves the ‘Nix defence were certainly being kept on their toes, blocking several dangerous shots from Adelaide who were knocking the ball around with real swagger and confidence in New Zealand.
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The home side were given a huge let off in the 36th minute when a sloppy ball from Isaac Hughes was played straight to Clough on the edge of the box but the midfielder’s shot was well saved by Oluwayemi, sparing Hughes’ blushes in the process.
Boos could be heard from the home crowd as they voiced their displeasure midway through the opening half as Wellington struggling to create any real opportunities while Adelaide continued to threaten their goal.
Looking to add to their tally, Adelaide then spurned a good chance early in the second half through Ben Folami and before the Reds knew it, Wellington were level.
They may have been struggling to create clear-cut chances in open play but set-pieces were always an avenue for Italiano’s side to exploit and the ‘Nix dragged themselves level thanks to a powerful header from Piper, who leapt highest to nod home a corner in the 50th minute.
Now looking to up the ante, Adelaide went on the front foot and came close to re-taking the lead through Stefan Mauk, however the midfielder saw two shots blocked in quick succession by Sheridan.
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Looking to bag the winner, Carl Veart rolled the dice and brought Jovanovic on in the hope his young striker could find the crucial goal and it took him less than 10 minutes to do so.
A wayward cross from the lively Dylan Pierias was claimed by Oluwayemi at his near post but the keeper then dropped the ball as he collided with defender Scott Wootton and Jovanovic was then to tap home the go-ahead goal from close range.
The Reds survived a late scare when keeper James Delianov misjudged a free-kick into the box, however Wellington were unable to punish the Adelaide custodian and the away side held on for the win which moves them to the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
