A hattrick from re-born attacker David Williams has inspired Wellington Phoenix to a crushing 4-1 win over the Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
Without leading scorer Roy Krishna through suspension, Williams stepped-up for the home side to all-but end the Jets’ finals hopes.
Sarpreet Singh also got on the scoresheet for the home side, while Roy O’Donovan’s strike was a mere consolation for the lacklustre Jets.
The only downside for the Phoenix was an injury to Louis Fenton, with the Kiwi international substituted in the first half with a suspected broken foot.
Any latecomers to Westpac Stadium would have missed the opening goal as Williams struck inside the first 32 seconds.
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A swift counter-attack ended with Singh sending Williams clear and the striker finished with aplomb past Glen Moss.
While there were no further goals in the first half, it was end-to-end action as both Jair and Lachlan Jackson both wasted glorious chances for the visitors, while Burgess was denied twice by Moss at the other end.
But the second half belonged to Wellington and – in particular – Williams.
The 31-year-old got his second from the penalty spot after the VAR correctly spotted a tug by Jets skipper Nigel Boogaard happened just inside the box.
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While O’Donovan pulled one back two minutes later, there would be no comeback as Williams restored the Phoenix’s two-goal lead soon after.
And it was the best goal of the lot, hitting a powerful, bending strike inside the far post from a long-distance strike from the left of the box.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020670220001
Singh then put the icing on the cake 17 minutes from time as Wellington consolidated their spot in the top four, while Newcastle’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread.
