A-League Men leaders Wellington – and Corban Piper – continued their historic start to the season after the Kiwi side grabbed a 3-0 win over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Taking the lead when VAR signed off on Piper beating the offside trap and netting in the 14th minute, the visitors saw off significant Jets pressure before sealing Saturday’s game with goals in the 87th and 94th minutes through Riley Bidois and Nathan Walker.
It was enough to give the Phoenix three straight wins to start an ALM campaign for the first time and kept them top of the table heading into a showdown against defending champions Auckland FC.
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It also continued a giddy stretch for Piper, who netted the Phoenix’s 700th ALM goal and made it three in three straight games, days before he’s set to receive a first All Whites call-up for the November international window.
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Newcastle, however, who are still winless across all competitions, were stunned his goal stood, despite debutant assistant referee Liam Smith raising his flag before Piper shot, which they felt should’ve seen play whistled dead.
Paramount+ commentators reported that the fourth official had acknowledged an error but, at halftime, Football Australia head of referees Jon Moss clarified to the broadcaster that referee Eric Saba had been within his rights to allow play to run.
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In their third of five games in a fortnight, it was the last thing the Jets needed and their frustration mounted when Alex Grant headed a shot off the line by Lukas Kelly-Heald in the 37th minute.
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After rotating following a midweek ACL Elite loss to Kyoto Sanga in Japan, the hosts swung the changes amid a second-half onslaught, but Phoenix keeper Henry Gray stood tall, denying a blast from Xavier Bertoncello in the 71st minute.
Substitutes Bidois and Walker then hit on the counter to seal it.
