Strugglers Fury and Phoenix share points

North Queensland Fury and Wellington Phoenix have shared the points at a sodden Dairy Farmers’ Stadium tonight after the Fury were denied an extra time winner via a goal line decision.

The Phoenix started brightly in the wet conditions at Dairy Farmers’ and earned themselves a couple of half chances in the first ten minutes, but it was the home side that struck first through Chris Payne against the run of play.

The Phoenix back four got caught high and William’s straightforward ball in behind was weighted to perfection. Payne made a good run off Muscat’s shoulder and his pace was enough to carry him through one-on-one with Vukovic. He finished calmly and the home side were ahead.

They could have been two up before the twenty minute mark when Talay’s early free kick found Hughes at the far post. His downward header was a good one but Vukovic saved at his feet well.

Pasfield was next called into action after Talay got a touch on Hearfield’s cross to make things difficult for his keeper, but the Fury stopper was able to tip over.

Conditions were difficult but the Fury were managing some impressive quality nevertheless. Just after the half hour mark they worked another chance for Payne. Sigmund threw his body in the way and the shot spiraled just wide.

The Fury continued to deservedly dominate while the Phoenix struggled to create, although a moment of quality from Rojas found MacAlistair alone in the middle of the box. Rojas’ ball was just behind the former Mariner, however, and the moment was gone.

The Phoenix had struggled for any cutting edge up front in the first half, but early in the second MacAlistair flicked on for Greenacre to go briefly clear before the covering defense closed him down.

First half goal scorer Chris Payne went close again on the hour mark. His first time volley from the edge of the box was brilliantly hit, but too close to Vukovic who tipped over well. He then made an even better save to keep the Phoenix in it during a scramble from the resulting corner.

Fifteen minutes later the Phoenix were all square. Andre Kilian got isolated out wide against substitute Nicky Ward, who beat him comfortably and drove into the box. Ward’s ball between goalkeeper and back four was perfect and MacAlistair was on hand to stab home at the far post with fifteen minutes left.

The game was set up for an exciting finish and Daal could have had the winner on the 80 minute mark, but he lifted his side foot high and wide from the edge of the box when he had the time to do better.

A point wasn’t enough for either side and they continued to press for a winner in a helter skelter last ten. MacAlistair and Ward both spurned chances for the Phoenix before the Fury thought they had the defining moment.

Daal thought he had bundled the ball over the line from an extra time corner, but the assistant referee ruled Muscat and Brown had done enough on the line to keep the whole ball from crossing. The Fury were – appropriately – furious, and their protestations continued after the final whistle.

Replays were far from conclusive and in truth a point apiece was probably a fair result, although not one which helps either side’s playoff ambitions.