Wellington Phoenix v Waikato FC 6PM 15/11

And Diego red-carded for arguing (second yellow)

Lolnix Reserves.

Lol diego

But, but, but Pavs is the answer.

I think its time we sack Gould and Hire the Waikato FC Coach.

East Coast Waikato Bays Phoenix.

HAMILTON � Two goals in the final six minutes from Jason Hicks gave Waikato FC a memorable 2-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix �A� in the first match of the ASB Challenge Series at Hamilton�s Fred Jones Park on Monday evening.

The home side found themselves trailing to a clinically taken Mirjan Pavlovic goal in the 68th minute after a defensive error afforded the striker the opportunity to squeeze the ball past John Fletcher from an acute angle.

But Hicks found space in the 84th minute and blasted an equaliser past Reece Crowther much to the delight of a crowd of around 1000, there as much to see the likes of Diego Walsh and Dylan Macallister as they were to cheer the home side.

Four minutes later, Walsh was adjudged to have fouled Sam Margetts as he bore down on goal and after a delay for protests from the Phoenix players who maintained the Brazilian�s challenge was legitimate, Hicks stepped up to bury the spot kick and seal a win their coach Willy Gerdsen would be a boost for the club and some newfound fans.

�The concept of the ASB Challenge is great. To have a Phoenix A side plus academy players who go down to Wellington to train in a professional environment is great.

�For us, a good crowd, a good performance and the result, obviously, were all pleasing, but I think it was not undeserved. We created chances and were well organised but yes, very happy.�

Walsh picked up a second yellow card amid the penalty protests leaving the Wellington side chasing the game in injury time a man short, but Caleb Rufer went agonisingly close to claiming a share of the $2000 prize money after a Macallister flick gave him a half chance which he put just over the crossbar.

While Gerdsen said he could not comment on the penalty, Phoenix A coach Jonathan Gould was less charitable about the decision but said the inaugural ASB Challenge match achieved its aims of keeping fringe Phoenix players match fit and introducing young players to a professional environment, and also offered something for local fans as well.

�I think all around the game served every purpose,� said Gould.

�The turnout from the Hamilton public was great, the attitude within the game was fantastic and while we died a little bit late in the game, when you consider some of these kids have never even met before I thought we did very well.�

 It took Waikato 10 to 15 minutes to find their feet but ended shading the first half both in possession and chances, the best of which was a dipping free kick from Milos Nikolic which drew a excellent fingertip save from Crowther.

Pavlovic and Macallister lurked as constant threats despite few clear cut opportunities and when Pavlovic latched on to a long ball from Alex Solomons, he needed no second invitation to give the visitors the lead.

That goal looked to have sealed the match until Jason Hicks first strike ignited the late Waikato comeback.

Team Wellington are next to take on Wellington Phoenix A in the ASB Challenge Series on November 23 two days after welcoming a buoyant Waikato FC to David Farrington Park in week five of the ASB Premiership.

ASB Challenge Series
Fred Jones Park, Hamilton
Waikato FC 2 (Jason HICKS 84, 90-pen)
Wellington Phoenix �A� 1 (Mirjan PAVLOVIC 68)
Halftime: 0-0

Crowd: 952

thats a great turnout in my opinion.

wonder if Elliot could stick around after his injury stint and help out with the mentoring of this side.

Went to the game. Pavlovic was very busy and impressed. Macallister had little impact and Diego was just plain stupid. Crowther made a great save from a free kick but you could argue that he should have saved the shot at the near post. In all honesty no one in the reserve team looked good enough for the first team now (apart from pav) or the young prospects didnt look nothing special. Marco still looked exciting running at players. 

What formula did they use?

WILLY

Football manager.

Just had a look at the team sheet. Nix played Pav, Marcos, Crowther, Diego, Musa and Bigmac.....rest were ringins from norther region.

Newtown not likely to be ready by then so will be at Dave Farrington.

Hoping to see Drake (RGK) get some game time.

Diego shouldn't even be in the A team.

How did Musa look?

Re coverage, as it is not an A League game can it not be streamed via the net, perhaps on the NZF website? May not be great quality but logistically it should not be to hard or to expensive?

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Dave Farrington Park/Miramar's home ground (formerly known as Centenial Park) is currently Team Wellington's home ground while Newtown is having work done to it. And seeing as though it is TW's home game I'm 99% sure it will be at D Farrington. Apparently TW are going back to Newtown after christmas.

They are trying to master the logistics (and costs) of playing it as a curtain raiser for the Heart game.  Terry is hoping the IRD will cover it for him.

how did Caleb Rufer look?

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I'm a Waikato fan, so was very pleased. I've seen Musa twice now, has impressed me.

Details??

"We've got the smallest Willy in the league"

A hell of a lot more competent than the young fella (Sean Lovemore?) he replaced, who got the ball 6 times and gave it away 6 times. Rufer should have started.

Lovemore was brilliant in the match at waikato stadium, so we can't judge him just on that. As for Musa, looks strong at the back, was very solid, did everything well I thought, especially his tackling. Maybe a chance to play at left back later on this season? 

Start Musa instead of North.