Phoenix vs Wrexham | Sat 19th July | 5:00pm | RoF

505 replies · 32,666 views

8 months ago

Ran out of battery. But think if he’s going to contribute he needs to choose a position and hone the attributes of that position.

To me a lot of sport comes from instinct and muscle memory of having done something a gazillion times, instinctively knowing which shoulders to look over , where the challenges are coming from, where your best distribution lanes are and so on…

And having that communication streamlined because you know what your teammates are wanting to do when they get the ball.

8 months ago · edited 8 months ago · History

Late comments, mostly on the second half.
Candy looked A league standard, and Lee had a good half too. Did well to beat his man and cross for the goal, but the cross itself wasn't great. Should've been snaffled by the keeper.
Flowerdew has a goal to remember, but didn't show much apart from the tap in. Supyk, much spoken-about here, was energetic but didn't stand out.
The academy defence (won't name names) looked really shaky at first with some poor touches at the back. Much improved by the late subs. Murphy, I think it was, also looked good in the short time he had.
Can't say much based on half an exhibition game, but was great to finally see the academy, and the likes of Loke and Smith in action. I don't remember Smith doing much, good or bad. Quietly went about his work?
Hughes looked excellent, really took responsibility and led the backline well, especially for a young player.
The UK comms on the sharkty feed I had raved about LBS, who IMO had a decent game, but pretty quiet by his standards.
Encouraging, but barring injury I don't see much opportunity for the academy players in the coming season.

8 months ago

I thought Smith was wayward with his passing - but can understand why.

Hughes was excellent.

8 months ago

Stein Hysegems now back a the Nix?? He had a pretty good game in defence in the second half.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

8 months ago

Everyone's happy. Wrexham make a tidy sum, but do the right thing and lose 2 of 3 games verus the locals.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/07/22/wrexham-tour-tipped-to-be-commercial-success-after-drawing-102661-fans/

The club says it generated more than $1 million in retail merchandise sales, including the sale of 10,000 Wrexham Down Under scarves.

The Welsh Insider‘s finance expert Adam Williams estimated Wrexham’s pre-season tour could have generated a profit for the club of between £4 million and £5 million (NZ$9 million – NZ$11.3 million).

8 months ago

coochiee

So about one Libby Cacace.

8 months ago

Ben Foster vlog has some good coverage from the match for those not able to attend. First 10 + minutes is sightseeing so you might want to skip that...or not

8 months ago

Love that half time shot where he wheels around 360 and smiles at how decent the crowd and atmosphere is. Wellington on a half decent night is actually great at the RoF! Looks like it was a really good event for the club.

8 months ago

Not sure if interesting but here is the relative strength of the starting XI and the team that ended the game.

8 months ago

Great work Dale. Puts our boys' performance into perspective.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

8 months ago

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Great work Dale. Puts our boys' performance into perspective.

Don't underestimate just how much of a difference the match fitness the Central League side had on things.

8 months ago · edited 8 months ago · History

Also having to run like demons for 45 mins, doesn't really simulate a game situation where half the team have to go 90 or more.

But the experienced Parkinson made special mention that the player fitness stats at the Nix Academy were impressive numbers. 'Running power' I think he called it. So kudos to the young players and the club. Putting in the hard mahi.

8 months ago

martinb

I’m currently in Singapore following the Arsenal pre season tour and their first game against AC Milan only had 22,800 at the game. I was also at the Wrexham game before I flew out so straight away noticed that the Nix drew a bigger crowd.