Dom Brock at EnergyAustralia Stadium
The Newcastle Jets reclaimed second spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder with an impressive 2-1 win over an under-strength Phoenix side at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
Australian Institute of Sport midfielder James Holland scored on debut for the Jets, having signed a short-term contract during the week, before Joel Griffiths grabbed a second goal late in the first half.
Wellington notched a consolation goal to Steven Old in the dying seconds of the match.
The 18-year-old Holland was delighted to score on his A-League debut.
"It's a bit surreal," he said.
"I'm glad it worked out as it did."
The Phoenix were missing All Whites stars Shane Smeltz, Mark Paston, Tony Lochhead, Jeremy Christie, Tim Brown, plus New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who were all on national duty. Brazilian Felipe was also out with a hamstring injury.
Newcastle, meanwhile, was without Olroos Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik and Adam D'Apuzzo, plus the injured Adam Griffiths.
The Jets dominated the early stages, with Denni, Tarek Elrich and Joel Griffiths creating chances with searching passes into the penalty area.
The opener came after 15 minutes, when a Noel Spencer long ball sent Griffiths clear on the left. The striker then put a low cross into the path of Holland, whose first-time strike crashed into the back of the net.
Wellington came close to levelling the scores immediately, with Michael Ferrante running clear to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Ante Covic only to send his shot wide of the left post.
Griffiths doubled Newcastle's advantage late in the half when he ran on to a perfectly placed through ball from Elrich and slotted a shot past Glen Moss.
Phoenix marquee signing Ahmad Elrich came off the bench after the break and the visitors promptly began to put together some slick passing movements of their own.
Jets defender Stephen Laybutt was shown a yellow card for bringing down Vaughan Coveny just outside the box, and Elrich's resulting free-kick sailed narrowly over the bar.
Elrich's younger brother Tarek then almost added a third for Newcastle, dribbling into the box from the right before driving a shot into the right post.
The hosts stayed on the front foot, with Denni spoiling a golden chance by slipping a shot wide of goal before Holland was denied by a terrific save from Moss.
Vince Lia tried to pull one back for the Phoenix in his debut for the New Zealand club, firing a low drive past the right post from just outside the area.
Wellington's goal came at the death, with Steven Old tucking the ball into the net after a chaotic scramble in the penalty box.
But the Jets held on to take their second win over Wellington this season and bolster their position in the top half of the ladder.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said his side must learn to not give away early goals against dangerous teams such as the Jets.
"We've got to be careful we're not chasing games all the time," Herbert said.
"Bad errors from a tracking point of view and you get punished."
Newcastle United Jets 2 (Holland 16, Griffiths 40)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Old 93)
Crowd: 11,947 at EnergyAustralia Stadium.