Jersey mix-up adds to Western United’s woes as Phoenix win

Not even a jersey mix-up could stop Wellington Phoenix from inflicting another loss to Western United on Saturday afternoon in Wellington to keep them bottom of the A-League men’s ladder.

The Phoenix won 2-0 with goals in each half but the drama started before the match with the game delayed for 15 minutes due to what you could call a wardrobe malfunction of communication between both teams.

Western United only arrived in New Zealand with their home jersey despite being told during the week Wellington would wear their away top and not their home kit, which is black.

This meant both teams were going to start the game in their darkest kit, which would create lots of confusion.

This forced the Phoenix kit man to travel 30km to get the other kit, Wellington’s home kit, to avoid the clash of jerseys.

When the game started, Phoenix showed why it is on top of the ladder, scoring in the third minute with winger Nicholas Pennington scoring his first goal of the season.

Phoenix wrapped up the three points early in the second half, doubling the lead after an own goal from Western United defender James Donachie.

The result leaves Western United last and eight points behind Perth in the race for the wooden spoon with Phoenix on top of the ladder with 33 points from 17 games.

It was not the only mix-up of the day, with the team bus for Sydney FC’s women’s team travelling to the wrong venue, which delayed kick-off in their game against Melbourne City by around half an hour.