The Premmy Files – Important Statements Galore

No time to rest in the Premiership because we’ve got a couple extra-curricular things to crack into here, two rather significant pieces of midweek news. One is Ricki Herbert stepping back from Hamilton Wanderers and the other is this Southern United ineligible player thing.

Flying Kiwis - December 4

That whole must-win Europa League game away to Sporting Lisbon didn’t exactly go as planned, with Ryan Thomas named on the bench and when he was finally subbed in for his second Europa League appearance with eleven minutes remaining the team was already 4-0 down. Which is the way it would stay. So... yeah.

The Premmy Files – Week 5

Myer Bevan then extended that lead early in the second half with a cheeky panenka penalty kick (is there any other kind?). They’re always risky but for ACFC it ain’t no thing – this was the fifth penalty they’d been awarded in the last four games so if ya miss one, just gotta wait patiently for the next to come along.

And Thus The Welly Nix Are Properly Up And Running

One of the recurring themes of the early days of this season has been a young Wellington Phoenix team struggling to find the rewards for all their hard work. Strikers battling away but not scoring goals. Defenders keeping things tight without a single clean sheet. Single goal defeats in each of the first four games.

Flying Kiwis – November 26

The Woodsman’s up to his old tricks again. Early in the second half away to Watford, in a game in which he’d barely been involved in during the first half as Watford had by far the better of the play and Burnley had just two off target shots to show for anything, up he popped from a corner kick to volley in an awkward one for the lead.

The Premmy Files – Week 4

It’s always a happy occasion when the WeeNix get to play a bit of curtain-raiser footy at the big stadium before the A-League team. Especially because that’s the only time they ever get a home game on telly.

Nothing Quite Like That First Welly Nix Win Of The Season, Aye?

There’s no such thing as a must-win game in the sixth match of the season but after four straight defeats to start things and five games without a win and coming back home after a bye week to face a Brisbane Roar team that’s just as young and transitional as the Phoenix are... this is as close to a must-win as there gets this early in things.

Flying Kiwis – November 19

Picture the scene... the North London Derby, Tottenham vs Arsenal at a stacked out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 38,262 people were in attendance to watch these two teams compete for the first time since Arsenal hammered Spurs 10-0 in an FA Cup game a couple years ago.

The Premmy Files – Week 3

It was only a few years ago that Hawke’s Bay United were regular semi-finalists but with the way they’ve tumbled out of contention the last couple seasons it’s easy to forget that. But under the throwback tutelage of Chris Greatholder and Bill Robertson it’s looking like The Bay might be rediscovering some of that old magic.

The Footy Ferns Have Begun Their Olympic Journey The Same Way The World Cup One Ended

The Football Ferns departed the FIFA World Cup in June 2019. The Olympics take place in July 2020. That’s thirteen months between major tournaments, thirteen months to correct the things that held them back at the World Cup and hopefully catch some waves with the world watching in Tokyo.

Flying Kiwis – November 12

Chris Wood has signed an extension to his deal at Burnley which will keep him in town until the end of the 2022-23 season – so three more seasons after this one. His previous deal was due to expire after next season so we’re talking a two year extension here... and presumably a cheeky little payrise too.

The Premmy Files – Week 2

A crazy few hours of Premiership footy had already unfolded as Auckland City and Team Wellington walked out at Kiwitea Street in a replay of last season’s semi-final and a trio of grand finals before that.

Signs Of Progress As The Welly Nix Finally Get Their First Point On The Board

If it weren’t for the pressure of the last four weeks then a draw away to Melbourne Victory would be an undeniably good result. Those four defeats in a row to start the campaign can’t be ignored... but a winless streak is better than a losing streak and the Nix now get the bye week to work on some things with their first point finally on the board.

Flying Kiwis – November 5

Away to SV Meppen and Sarpreet’s footprints were on this one as early as the 21st minute before he curled in a picture perfect free kick delivery from the left side of the penalty area right onto Timo Kern’s head and Kern made it 1-0. Assist number five for Sarpreet Singh since he joined BM2.

The Premmy Files – Week 1

The wait is over. The 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership is underway. Can’t you hear that gentle dripping of perspiration on a rock-hard dirt surface? Summer football is here, baby.

CONTROVERSY! As The Welly Nix Lose Their Fourth In A Row

No, the Wellington Phoenix didn’t lose because of a shocking refereeing decision. But it sure doesn’t help when a team which has struggled to score goals this season, without a point from their opening three games, away to the top team on the ladder, goes from 2-1 down to 3-1 down in a circumstance like that.

The Premmy Files – 2019-20 Season Preview, Part 2

Will Team Welly keep pace at the very top of the table again? Any of the next crew of WeeNix prospects gonna push for A-League honours this season? Who’s gonna score the goals for Tasman? What happened to all of those missing Canterbury Utd fellas? Will Southern crack the top four?