It is a fine margin at the top level in any sport and conceding an own goal and a penalty
is never going to help the cause.
But that is exactly what happened to the visiting side which had been more than a match in the first half for the youngsters. There was no score in the first half.
Southern United front men Danny Furlong and Andy Mulligan had chances but some good goalkeeping from Lewis Italino kept the home team on level terms.
After the break, Mulligan was taken off and United kept looking for chances.
But the Phoenix went ahead just after the hour when Matt Ridenton put in a nice cross and United wideman Ross Howard managed to put it into the back of his net.
That was a blow for United and its rival's confidence grew.
Ridenton then knocked in a penalty in the 73rd minute when Sam Philip was pulled down.
Down by two goals, United had no option but to look to get back into the game by pressing forward.
That left some gaps at the back, and the game was over when Logan Rogerson knocked in a shot with about 10 minutes left.
The win for the Phoenix under-20 side did not do anything for it in terms of going up the table. It remains in seventh place while Southern United will stay in ninth place, just above Tasman.
Southern United has a tough assignment next when it takes on defending champion Eastern Suburbs at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Eastern Suburbs had a good 3-1 win against Team Wellington on Saturday.
Waitakere United heads the table from Team Wellington and Eastern Suburbs.
