24 February 2010. The Nix are on a role. Having surpassed any preseason hopes/desires/ambitions we are one game away from a Grand final. the dream lives and another home game against the jets stands in the way. The team could be playing in front of a sell-out 34,500 crowd. amazing scenes to be sure. i was there that night when we played a catch up game in front of 4,000. I haven't missed an A League home match yet. I've wt ached crap and I have watched genius. I'm glad the fans are showing up. The proof of course is will they be their next season? I hope so. Gates of 15k would be really nice for the club, the team, the fellow fans....and of course for Terry and his decision to front up with the dosh. Phoenix detractors (& We know there is only one)...."You're Fired"! Pleasing to hear is Terry's commitment to finance the Nix for the next 10 years. Now lets hope the FFA grant all the clubs their 10 year licence's and that The Asian Confederation wind their (His) ego in and se that this really is a viable scenario. Let New Zealand join the asian confederation.

Sign Reddy!

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21 February 2010 - Wellington Phoenix 4 Perth Glory 2 - 1-1 Full time - 1-1 Extra time - Penalties 4-2 to the Phoenix - WOW !

12 February 2010 - Wellington Phoenix 3 Central Coast Mariners 0 - The final official home fixture for our season and final A League fixture for us. We spanked them and they offered nothing on a Friday night with a crowd worthy of the phoenix. The Tim-Enator put us ahead on a close-ish first half. Then Ifill scored two to ensure we won and the party tricks came out. Some excellent footie. And we confirmed our 4th place finish thus ensuring a home game against the Perth Glory in the first playoff

07 February 2010 - Gold Coast United 0 Wellington Phoenix 1 - Scrappy where we were not really threatened. We deserved to win. However our only goal - a Paul Ifill penalty was dubious. Technically correct though. Tim brown entered the penalty area, turned toward the sideline and their defender came in from behind and clipped his ankle. Tim in fairness thought the ball had gone out for a throw in and didn't appeal. The ref saw it and Ifill finished it. the daniel fan Club minus myself made the trip over to support the lads. Job well done.

30 January 2010 - Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 0 - A welcome return home...well sort of, Our game was played down in Christchurch. a good crowd of over 19,000 turned out. some for the football, some for the official opening of the new stand. Jon McCain is on fire and fired the Nix ahead. We ended up in a close but just could not put it away. However we cannot under estimate the importance of Liam reddy. He kept us in it, as he has done since. A brilliant replacement for Paston. A good game all up. Now for the complaints. Well first up, it was 9 million times better than the Ring of Dirt. That said, Car parking, no friggen car park, WTF is the point of having a nice new stadium with no car park. Yet outside is an area near 2 acres in size begging for a 6 story car park. DOH Christchurch. The burgers? WTF $7.50 for a piece of turd called a chicken burger. It smelt off and I refused to eat it. ABSOLUTE CRAP and I should instead of biffing it, sent to the health department and had the fuckers closed down. The chips. I've had more chips in those ten packs you get in Pak 'N Save for kiddies lunches. Otherwise it was a good trip, despite Christchurch ensuring it kept its reputation as the most racist city in New Zealand.

26 January 2010 - Melbourne Victory 4 Wellington Phoenix 0 - Another game where we didn't show up and got a spanking by a very good Melbourne side. Hernandez would grace any Championship team, I think he has the goods for the EPL but not standoutish at that level. Kruse proved yet again annoying and a twat.

22 January 2010 - Perth Glory 2 Wellington Phoenix 0 - WTF!?? A game that was given away all-be-it under trying circumstances. It is recognised as the longest travelled League games in world football. The nix were not at their best to be honest but when Dadi returning to his old stomping ground took what is recognised as the worst penalty ever taken in front of TV cameras, it kinda set the tone for the rest of the game.

15 January 2010 - Wellington Phoenix 3 North Queensland Fury 0 - God V God? Dadi outshone Robby Fowler with his third goal in two games for the Phoenix. Paul Ifill scored a beauty before Jon McCain opened his Phoenix account with a nicely placed header. The gamer was played in atrocious conditions. A southerly kicked off at the same time as the game. Dadi was to leave the game and received 15 stitches with an innocent head clash at a corner. Fowler earned a yellow card for gobbing off at the referee for way to long. A scrappy first half by both teams. This not surprising considering the conditions. That's 3 wins in a row and 4th place ours for another week.

09 January 2010 - Wellington Phoenix 3 Brisbane Roar 1 - A Happy New Year was kicked off with the surprise signing of Eugene Dadi from the Perth Glory. What better way to celebrate your first start of the A League season than with a contender for goal of the season. A great way to make yourself popular with the fans too. And so it was. A brilliant bicycle kick goal in the second half and an equally good volley saw Dadi score two on his debut. Tim Brown kept up his fine form in front of goal with the opener. The crowd went wild and a new legend has emerged at the ROF. Who's your Dadi??

31 December, 2009 - Central Coast Mariners 0 Wellington Phoenix 2 - The Lads finished the year off with a 2 goal burst from Paul Ifill in testing temperatures on the coast. a good performance from Adrian Caceres standing in for an injured Daniel. Great result and who knows what the new year will bring. Liam Reddy showing some very good form.

18 December 2009 - Adelaide United 1 Wellington Phoenix 1 - Strange game. Referee Zetter would have had every reason to dish the cards out like poker dealer but refrained from such. Troy Hearfield was lucky not to get a straight red for a 2 footed challenge after 5 minutes. Possibly retaliation for the tackle he received from the same player moments before that was worthy of a yellow. Lack of card aside, it was a mixture of scrappyness and bad finishing. Adelaide had the upper hand but fortunately Liam Reddy marking his Phoenix debut with a real stormer of a game and returning Jon McKain kept the attack under control. I don't know what Ricki said at half time but it worked and the Nix cam out looking a lot different and more purposeful. Adelaide too played a more positive game and brought out some excellent saves from Reddy. Then they went ahead. an awesome long range goal from their brazilian fullback from about 20 yards and un-expected from everyone. Most though it was going wide until it hit the side netting. The goal was just what the game needed and both sides stepped it up. Reddy called on yet again moments later with a superb 1 handed save to his left. Ricki sent on Rojas for Costa and later Adrian Caceres for Daniel. Tim Tim-Enator) Brown missed three clear heading chances, Durante missed one (Will he ever score his first A League goal?). Ifill kept the ball far too often and seems to give up the ghost once he has shot. If watching the game instead of burying his head in his hands, he might have seen a few 2nd chances that went missing. Caceres came on, took up his position on the left and promptly scored within a minute. An excellent solo effort and throughout the game looked interested. He has to start next weekend on this showing. The last 10 minutes saw the Nix interested in going for it and Adelaide had to defend well - except against the Tim-Enator's headers. Sorry Tim, next week mate, you will score. At practice this week, headers and shooting from any range should be a high priority. So too should be the practice of playing the diagonal ball along the ground to players like Costa. Manny is available next week but Troy Hearfield has done exceptionally well at RB. Siggy has one more game to miss. Welcome Liam Reddy and an excellent start by you.

12 December 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 0 Sydney City 1 - A Corica penalty after a cheating brosque dive which sucked in and inept referee and linesman stopped the nix from creating a new A League record of 14 home games without defeat. Although this did not happen at the Ring of Fire but at the Ring of Dirt in Palmerston North. A 2 hour trip each way. The tone I guess was set when after arriving and wanting something to eat, the take-away's were closed and the cafes were in the process of closing at 5pm. Still The Nightflyer bar/cafe on the square came to the rescue. As for the game, No one really stood out. Crowther did well and almost score from his own goal. had the ball bounced earlier it might not have landed on top of the goal. The goalie was well off his line. Strong winds and a pathetic stadium will be all that this game is remembered for, oh and of course that record. Or is it? It wasn't played at the ROF so that record is still intact. With all the money the Rugby Union has, and at that pathetic stadium, all they can afford is potty style plastic seats with no backs. and with the stockcar track and the chicken wire fence, it gave me a good appreciation of what Indians or Pakistanis experience when they go to a Cricket match within their own countries. Chicken wire for God's sake!!

04 December 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 1 Melbourne Victory 1 - An interesting game. The victory played some very nice football without actually achieving anything, except getting one of their own sent off. Honours even at the break. 57 minutes in and up steps Tim Brown to meet the cross and put the Nix in front. The Tim-enator was having an excellent game along with Troy Hearfield at RB and Tony Lochhead at LB. 4 minutes to go and after conceding an un-necessary corner, the Nix found themselves level again. Despite Pastons excellent attempt at a save, one questions where did the marking vanish too. come on guys, you know better than that. You have all three points against the table toppers in the bag and deservedly so. Oh and 9 draws so far this season, is that an A League record? We did equal the record for games NOT lost at home and next Saturday against Sydney in Palmerston North may see us set a unique A League record. One to actually be proud of.

29 November 2009 - Brisbane Roar 4 Wellington Phoenix 1 - A scrappy game with yet another A League refereeing debut. What is it with the FFA and their insistence on giving their referees their debuts against the Nix. Is it in hope that they they will limit their mistakes against the Nix? We have had some pretty shonky decisions against us as a result. However, the one decision we did cop, the referee got it right. Manny lifting his forearm into the face of an opponent. Red card and a 3 week rest. Ok, manny was getting skinned by Oar all game, but that is when you lift your game, not your forearm. In a scrappy encounter Chris Greenacre equalised with a beauty of a header. To be fair the Roar did have us under the kosh. The team just didn't show up. mind you hot humid conditions didn't help. It was 2-1 to the Roar before manny got marched. Then a couple of late efforts killed the game. Van Lesbian scored a free kick that really should have been stopped. The wall was not placed right. A sad effort by the team. And with Melbourne on fire at the mo, next Friday is a day of nerves.

22 November 2009 - Newcastle Jets 0 Wellington Phoenix 1 - A game that took place in such high temperatures that there was a drinks break midway through each half. Not pleasant for either team. The Nix grabbed all three points in the 14th minute when Paul Ifill stuck out a foot and volleyed home from about 7 yards. The Jets made several attempts to get back into it but they rarely offered up anything too serious. The Phoenix boys seemed to handle the conditions better and some were probably still on a high after last weekends World Cup Qualification.

04 November 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 3 Newcastle Jets 0 - A spirited game that oddly enough seemed a reproduction of the GCU game - scrappy first half and there's Tim Brown again scoring. Come the second half and the Jets offered little. All up the Nix had 234 shots on goal and the Jets goalkeeper saved 11 shots on target. Chris Greenacre added a second after a brilliant back heel set up by Costa marking his first start of the season. It reminded me of a young Keegan partnering an older Toshack. Paul Ifill added the 3rd with a cheeky goal, round the goalkeeper at the last moment having drawn him out. Daniel was supplying awesome chances tonight. Nearly scoring himself, his crossing was right on the button. There were a few mix ups in defence and I can see Ricki nailing those before next Sunday. Durante almost gifted the Jets a goal but otherwise he took two hit to his goolies in the space of ten minutes before the half time break. That he returned in the 2nd half surprised a few of us. However his leadership is really now starting to shine as too are his moves into midfield with ball in possession. he looks very comfortable making these runs.

01 November 2009 - Sydney City 3 Wellington Phoenix 1 - Weird game. Paston injured in the first 3 minutes after a collision going for a cross. A minor hip injury that may keep him from the Jets game on Wednesday. Crowther filled in. Daniel dislocated his shoulder after 1:30 in the game but fortunately it popped back in with a gentle manipulation and he carried on to play well, score a perfectly good penalty that was disallowed because the Sydney player and Durante had their respective foot on the white line. Daniel also picked up 5 stitches for a clash of heads. There seemed to be lots of silly things from the Nix in the first half. No marking at the back post that contributed to two of the easiest tap in goals for a long time. After 35 minutes it was all but over as Sydney scored their third. When the second half kicked off young Costa got a run, he and Ifill linked up very well then the penalty incident. Shortly after Costa scored an excellent goal and really 3-2 would have been a fair score line. Sydney had the first half and the Nix had a lot of the second. Still a lesson learned I hope. I also hope Paston will be right for that all important world Cup game on Nov 14th.

25 October 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 6 Gold Coast United 0 - It had to happen. I can say "I was there" too!. I've been saying since day 1 of the Nix that one day they would really click and nail some side. Today, the Nix clicked for the first time since they beat Perth 4-1 last season. The game started a bit scrappy but settled. 28 minutes a Lochhead superb through ball found Paul Ifill, a quick flick and Daniel on hand to score from 10 yards. Ben Sigmund had earlier come racing into the area and headed a ball that rattled off the cross bar with alarming power and speed from 6 yards. Paul Ifill had had several opportunities. 3 minutes into the 2nd half and Tim Brown increased the Nix's lead with a dummy around the goalkeeper and almost walked the ball in. Again it was a Paul Ifill pass that set him up. 5 minutes later and Daniel grabbed his 2nd - you guessed it, from a Paul Ifill pass. Chris Greenacre finally got his reward for running himself everywhere for the Nix and made it 4-0 60 seconds later. Not to feel left out Paul Ifill scored one and 5 nil. Troy Hearfield completed the scoring and the 6,507 whom attended the game in fine weather all went home happy and voiceless after so much cheering and shouting. Not the most welcome return for former Nix super star, Shane Smeltz. He got little service from his own team and was booed every time he received the ball. It was good natured and he is sure to be one of New Zealand's heroes when lining up against Bahrain on november 14.

17 October 2009 - North Queensland Fury 1 Wellington Phoenix 1 - A game where the nix took the lead through Tim Brown and then despite moments of domination, gave it away in the last 5 again. They did set a new A League record of 6 draws on the trot.

02 October 2009 - Gold Coast United 0 Wellington Phoenix 0, Another nil all draw and an important point against the table leaders. The Nix dominated from the start but could not put their domination into goals. GCU had their full strength line up in play. Durante kept former striker Shane Smeltz in his back pocket for the entire game. 4-4-2 away is a new thing for COach Ricki Herbert and long may it continue as the side looked much more balanced and an entertaining brand of football.

27 September 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 0 Central Coast Mariners 0, The Phoenix drew their 4th on the trot against a resurgent CCM. Having a good result last week, CCM were a lot more composed in defence and although both teams created a lot of chances, they both missed them. A very surprisingly low crowd attended in cool conditions. Possibly the introduction of Daylight Saving and moving the game an hour earlier as ordered by the FFA did the damage.

20 September 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 1 North Queensland Fury 1, I've calmed down a lot since the game. It must have been the weekend for it. Manure had a referee whom gave them 7 minutes to get their winner against City, even allowing for the 4th official to share a joke with Sir Alex to kill the final few seconds. I digress, or do I. The game was in the bag and 3 minutes of extra time allowed for stoppages, which was about right considering the injuries. However, after the 4 minute mark and a dubious free kick out in front, the Fury equalised at 4:36 seconds. I wouldn't normally complain about this but it seems whenever the Phoenix are ahead, copious amounts of extra time are given, yet when the Phoenix are behind, there's about 10 seconds added on. Just another inconsistency by allegedly. "Professional" match officials. Anyway, the Nix should have been 4-0 up by half time, Fowler? Robbie who? He was under wraps by the smallest guy on the pitch - Manny. Great goal by Leo after 4 minutes though. Roll on next Sunday and the mighty CCM. Caceres might get to start up against his old team and Kwasi playing for his old team against his old team and now for his new team. This is so confusing!!

13 September 2009 - Melbourne Victory 1 Wellington Phoenix 1, The Phoenix came away with a point after Tim Brown equalised with a cracker supplied from a Daniel cross. melbourne took the lead through a spectacular free kick after Vince Lia fouled their player. Both goals looked very good on TV.

04 September 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 1, The Nix entertained Adelaide whom were missing 7 key players from their line up on a crisp moonlit Friday evening. 40 seconds in and Daniel (Starting his first game of the campaign) sent over a cross that Tim Brown should really have nodded home. That set the tone for the first half. Another cross and there's Paul Ifill trying an outlandish outside left foot volley and what a goal! The lead lasted only a short time as Adelaide settled and started to show some spirit. Lloyd Owusu was a constant threat. Towering about 5 inches higher than everyone else, he won plenty of possession in the air. In the 31st minute they equalised. A scrappy corner and some slack marking. The signs had been there minutes before when the ball bounced back from the inside of the post. In the second half the nix seemed to lose direction for some periods. Adelaide had sorted themselves out and applied some serious pressure. Then with a few minutes to go, Daniel sent the perfect through ball to Paul Ifill. He looked up and smacked it under the goalkeeper from an acute angle. fans were in delirium. But wait, the linesman's' flag was up for offside. The television replay showed Ifill to be yards onside, but wait, Paul Greenacre appeared offside for the briefest of split seconds and away from the direction of the play, was deemed to be part of the "play". Referees' discretion called for but none given. This was followed by several intense minutes of very loud booing. The match officials received a fair bit of flack as the final whistle blew. Some quite un-necessary. The five or six adelaide fans whom had made the trip saw their team grab a valuable point.

20 August 2009 - Sydney City 2 Wellington Phoenix 0, What a difference a week can make. A very below sub par performance from the lads. They lived life on the knife edge and held out till well in the second half. it was just a matter of time then 2 quick goals killed the team off. if they had played like the week before, they would have swept Sydney aside no problem but it wasn't to be. What was Daniel meant to achieve with just the final 10 minutes of the game and us 2-0 down??

23 August 2009 - Brisbane Roar 1 Wellington Phoenix 1, a great game and we nearly nicked it. today the team showed a battling performance and gave a good indicator of what could happen if they applied themselves. Chris Greenacre scored his second of the campaign and looks an excellent replacement for Shane Smeltz.

16 August 2009 - Wellington Phoenix 2 Perth Glory 1. Tradition in football is usually a good thing. Except with the Phoenix, the tradition is to concede an early goal. This time just after 4 minutes on the clock. Adopting a more attacking formation and seeing 2 sometimes 3 on the forward line, made for some interesting footie. First home game nerves?? Paul Ifill making his home debut and playing on the left of midfield, equalised with a superb header. Having earlier been denied by an in-form Perth Goalkeeper - a shot that would have been a contender in the early race for goal of the season. Cross coming in Ifill in space and a great header. There were spells when Perth should have won the game as they had the Nix defence at sixes and sevens. Then there were spells when I thought the Nix were going to open them up like a can of beans. The weather was miserable - our third rainy day in three seasons. However, a crowd of over 10,000 braved the conditions. Ricki did his customary 70th minute substitutions, Daniel and Troy and Vince coming on. Why do we wait till the 70th minute every game, the opposition must be able to set their watches by it. Sorry Ricki, as a very big fan, but mix it up a bit and keep them guessing - just like Leo. 85 minutes, a full 40 yards out on a slippery surface. One could have expected a ball skimming off the surface but no. Leo steps up and smacks it with everything he had. It took a minor deflection as Daniel ran to the right and the defence did the same. The ball didn't bother hitting the ground, it just went like an Exocet missile and onto the net just out of reach of the diving goalkeeper. A moment of brilliance that sent nix fans into spasms of sheer joy. Shirts off immediately in the nine degree temps for some staunch fans. A happy start to our home record. Well done lads. Oh and a mention for Chris Greenacre. he did so much work off the ball, dragging the Perth defence all over the show. We may have lost one good striker but we have gained two very good strikers in return.

09 August 2009 - Newcastle Jets 3 Wellington Phoenix 2. The season is up and running. A weekend of interesting result. The Nix have not beaten the Jets yet and this run has continued. Going 2-0 down yet fighting their way back to 2-2 through Siggy and Greenacre, they could not hold out. Some confusion amongst the defence the whole game left Paston exposed on several occasions. Still our new arrivals now know what to expect in this competition. Roll on next Sunday at the ROF.

02 August 2009 - That's it, the Open Day attracted 3,000 fans of various persuasions to meet their idols new and old. A blustery day during which the rain held off for a few hours and allowed a successful event to take place. Terry was there, Tony too and assistant coaches, players etc all appeared to have a good time, some surprised at the size and passion of the turn out. Still the issues with Ticketec abound and to be honest either the club should in future do the job themselves or move to Ticketmaster. They do the Rugby stuff and I have yet to hear one single complaint in the last ten years of their tenure. Next up - THE BIG Kickoff. Good luck Nix, I think you are in with a shout myself.