Eastern Suburbs have continued their flawless start to the ISPS Handa Premiership, notching their second successive victory and another clean sheet in edging out the Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2-0 this afternoon.

The win draws them level on points at the top of the table with Auckland City but the defending champions have the chance to pull clear again tomorrow on their trip to Southern United.

After beginning with a hugely impressive 5-0 defeat of Hawke’s Bay United in their opening match, Suburbs picked up where they left off by racing into a two-goal lead at Riverhills Park – which was hosting national league action for the first ever time.

In blustery conditions, Suburbs settled into their new home quickly and were ahead within the first six minutes, the wind playing a significant part in a fortuitous goal. A corner was swung in by Dominic Wooldridge and Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Jones struggled to pick up the flight of the ball, allowing the wind to take it beyond him and into the back of the net.

It was 2-0 just under 20 minutes later as All White Andre de Jong slotted his second goal of the season, finding space on the edge of the area to receive a pass from Elijah Just and direct a classy finish past Jones.

Having seen what became of Hawke’s Bay at the hands of Suburbs a week earlier, the Phoenix must have feared the worst at this stage but Paul Temple’s young charges showed good character to stay in the contest and soon enjoyed a strong spell of possession that forced Suburbs to drop deep and get behind the ball.

But the visitors struggled to find a way through and the next opportunity fell the way of Suburbs, Jones making a smart save from a well-hit Mohamed Awad effort just before the break.

Suburbs were now playing into the strong wind and the Phoenix started the half more brightly than they had the first, creating their best chance of the game when Benjamin Waine had his low strike saved by Andrew Withers.

De Jong then missed a chance to put the game out of reach as he was picked out with a probing cross and directed his header downwards but it bounced harmlessly over the crossbar.

Further chances proved hard to come by in the final quarter of the game as Suburbs took their tally to six points while the Phoenix were left to reflect on their second defeat in a row.

Suburbs will look on with interest tomorrow to see who can join them near the summit as match week three of the ISPS Handa Premiership is completed with four more games.

For the ISPS Handa Premiership table and other information please click here

ISPS Handa Premiership Match Week Three

Eastern Suburbs 2 (Dominic Wooldridge 6’, Andre de Jong 25’)
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 0
HT: 2-0

Hawke’s Bay United vs Canterbury United
Bluewater Stadium, Napier
Sunday 28 October, 1pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #HBvCU

Southern United vs Auckland City
Caledonian Ground, Dunedin
Sunday 28 October, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #SUvAC

Tasman United vs Hamilton Wanderers
Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Sunday 28 October, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #TUvHW

Waitakere United vs Team Wellington
The Trusts Arena, Auckland
Sunday 28 October, 4.35pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #WUvTW
Live on SKY Sport

Article added: Saturday 27 October 2018