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 coach Willy Gerdsen said 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 they ended up 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 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.
Story and image courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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