Galloway hard on himself after Nix draw

Oct 10, 2017 - 11:23 PM Apologetic and contrite, Wellington Phoenix fullback Scott Galloway has declared himself at fault for Adelaide United's equalising goal in last weekend's A-League season-opening 1-1 draw.

Ahead 1-0 after Dario Vidosic's early header, the Nix allowed their opponents back into the match when Nikola Mileusnic, free down the right edge, crossed for Adelaide debutant Johan Absalonsen to nod home.

Absalonsen had made a darting run from the left, leaving Galloway all at sea.

The 22-year-old Australian under-23 representative defender was at pains to admit guilt for the goal and said he'd planned for Absalonsen cutting inside.

But he couldn't stop the tricky Dane from scoring.

"We worked on it during the week, that their wingers like to come across to the front post, and that was my man," Galloway said.

"He just got there in front of me - not much I could do.

"I've put my hand up for it."

With Jacob Tratt jettisoned and Louis Fenton prone to injury, the Perth-born Galloway will likely serve as the Nix's first-choice right back this season.

He arrives with plenty of A-League experience and a winning pedigree, having played almost 80 A-League games for Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners since 2013 and won the double with Victory in 2014/15.

Ali Abbas and Tom Doyle will compete for the left-back berth.

Galloway felt the side's first-up draw to Adelaide was a decent result to start the season, but could've been far better.

"It's kind of like that in round one, a little shaky for both teams at the start, especially for us - we don't have it the same as A-League teams in Australia who are playing six or seven games in pre-season," Galloway said.

"That was only our fourth, so to adjust to the tempo of the game takes time.

"There's still plenty more to improve on, plenty more to show."

Source: AAP