At Sky Stadium, the host team fell behind after only seven minutes when right back Matthew Sheridan headed Englishman Zac Clough’s blasted pass into the six-yard box into his own net.
Wellington scored the game’s next goal in the 50th minute when Corban Piper sprang highest at a corner to propel his team back into the match, even though it appeared the away team would add a second.
Luka Jovanovic, who was brought on in the 66th minute, scored his second goal in as many games after Josh Oluwayemi’s goalkeeping blunder handed the youthful striker the simplest of tap-ins.
The Phoenix made a valiant effort to tie the score, but the Reds held firm for their sixth consecutive away victory, securing a commanding lead in the Isuzu UTE A-League with 24 points from 11 games.
Wellington, on the other hand, has now dropped five of their previous six games and may finish the round as low as eleventh in the standings.
Adelaide dominated the first half of the match and took the lead in the seventh minute when inexperienced defender Sheridan turned Clough’s risky ball into the area into his own net.
Giancarlo Italiano’s team has a history of slow starts this season; as a result of that early own goal, the ‘Nix have now let up a goal within the first 10 minutes of four of their previous five games.
Although Phoenix goalie Oluwayemi didn’t have to make any significant saves, the “Nix defense” was undoubtedly kept alert as they stopped a number of dangerous chances from Adelaide, who were moving the ball around in New Zealand with genuine confidence and swagger.
When a careless pass from Isaac Hughes went straight to Clough on the edge of the box in the 36th minute, the home team was given a huge break, but Oluwayemi made a great save to save Hughes’ blushes.
Halfway through the first half, the home crowd sent out boos as they expressed their anger with Wellington’s inability to generate any genuine opportunities as Adelaide persisted in threatening their goal.
Adelaide then missed a fantastic opportunity early in the second half through Ben Folami, hoping to increase their lead, and before the Reds knew it, Wellington had tied the score.
Even though they were having trouble coming up with clear-cut chances in open play, Italiano’s team was always able to take advantage of set-pieces, and the ‘Nix pulled even in the 50th minute when Piper leaped to the top and headed home a corner.
Now looking to up the ante, Adelaide went on the front foot and came close to re-taking the lead through Stefan Mauk, however the midfielder saw two shots blocked in quick succession by Sheridan.
Jovanovic was brought on by Carl Veart, who was trying to win the game, in the hopes that his youthful striker would score the game-winning goal. It took him less than ten minutes to achieve it.
Oluwayemi claimed a misdirected cross from the vivacious Dylan Pierias at his near post, but the goalie missed the ball after colliding with defender Scott Wootton, and Jovanovic subsequently scored the game-winning goal from close range.
The Adelaide goalkeeper misread a free-kick into the area, giving the Reds a late scare. However, Wellington was unable to punish him, and the away team hung on for the victory, which puts them atop the Isuzu UTE A-League.
