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Australian A-League

Nov 21, 2015 at 6.15am UK

Western Sydney Western Sydney Wanderers
2-1
Wellington Wellington Phoenix

Piovaccari (9'), Bridge (85')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Muscat (18')

Match Report

Football

Late Mark Bridge strike secures Western Sydney Wanderers win

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 21 November 2015

Western Sydney Wanderers secure a 2-1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix in their A-League clash as Mark Bridge scores five minutes from time at the Pirtek Stadium.

Mark Bridge struck in the 85th minute to fire Western Sydney Wanderers to a 2-1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix in their A-League clash on Saturday.

The Wanderers took the lead in the ninth minute after the visitors hit the bar from a free kick by Michael McGlinchey, and they hit them on the counter as Bridge latched on to a through-ball from Mitch Nichols before he played in Federico Piovaccari to find the net.

Mark Bridge of the Wanderers celebrates scoring a goal with team mates during the round seven A-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix at Pirtek Stadium on November 21, 2015 © Getty Images

The home side almost doubled their advantage when Nikolai Topor-Stanley lifted a cross to the back post, which evaded everyone in the box and skimmed the top of the crossbar with Glen Moss beaten.

Wellington got back on level terms in the 14th minute when Manny Musct was allowed to raid down the flank by the Wanderers defence before he cut inside into the box where he placed a low strike into the bottom corner.

Western Sydney almost regained the lead when Andreu lifted a free kick into the path of Dario Vidosic at the back post, who fired a volley at goal, only to see his effort saved by Moss.

Alex Rufer came close to firing the visitors ahead as he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and drilled a volley towards the net, but Andrew Redmayne made the stop for the home side.

Emmanuel Muscat of the Phoenix is congratulated by team mates after scoring a goal during the round seven A-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix at Pirtek Stadium on November 21, 2015 © Getty Images

Wanderers were to win the contest when Dimas played the ball in to the feet of Bridge, who turned his man before firing an effort beyond the reach of Moss into the top corner.

The result moves Western Sydney up to third place in the table, while Wellington drop to sixth.