6 Nov 2022

Phoenix claim first win of the season in thriller

6:18 pm on 6 November 2022

The Wellington Phoenix claimed a sensational 4-1 win against Macarthur FC in Wellington for their first victory of the new A-League season.

Ben Waine , Bozhidar Kraev and Sam Sutton of the Wellington Phoenix  celebrate goal of Bozhidar Kraev. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - November 06: Wellington Phoenix v Macarthur FC, A-League match at Sky Stadium Wellington.November 06, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Elias Rodriguez/ www.photosport.nz)

Ben Waine, Bozhidar Kraev and Sam Sutton of the Wellington Phoenix celebrate their first win of the A-League season. Photo: Elias Rodriguez

Wellington have six points from their five games played to sit in the middle of the standings following three points for today's result.

The first half was a well balanced contest with the opening score coming to 20-year-old Ben Old seconds from the half-time break.

Macarthur's Lachlan Rose scored in the 59th minute for the visitors.

All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis scored from a set-piece for Wellington in the 65th minute, with Ben Waine adding the third goal minutes later.

Later Bulgarian international Bozhidar Kraev scored his second goal of the season to seal the dominant win.

Three out of the four goal scorers were young New Zealand players which captain Oli Sail said was a direct result of the team's development strategy.

Wellington will play at home again next weekend when they face cellar dwellers Western United on Sunday afternoon.