The Wellington Phoenix have fought their way to a first point of the season.
The Nix nearly managed to turn their game against Melbourne Victory fully around after going 1-0 down, but had to settle for a share of the spoils at Hnry Stadium.
Makala Woods bagged again, cancelling out Holly Furphy’s opening goal before a late flurry of chances nearly paid off.
Head coach Bev Priestman was disappointed with the early showings.
“I’m frustrated with the first half,” she told media post-match. “I thought we allowed them to bully us.
“There were a lot of fouls going on in the game, but I’m pleased with the response. The second half showed character.
“We should have had a couple of goals in the second half. These things will come. It’s a process and all credit to Victory. They came in, they were direct and they knew what their strengths were. But bitterly frustrated with the first half.”
Even so, there were building blocks to take from the game.
“It’s okay having a great defensive line-up but we’ve also got to do things at the other end of the pitch. That’s a process and we’re working on it.
“I didn’t think the hunger in the final third was lacking today… and we were playing against a very good goalkeeper.
“We’ve just got to keep knocking on that door, adding bit by bit every week and things we’ll unlock, and I’m confident that will happen.”
With a two week away trip on deck, Priestman has her sights set on improvements.
“I’m excited to move forward now on the two away trips and then we’re back to where we love to go which is Porirua Park.
“We’ll get some bodies back for our next game which will be great. It’ll give us options and competition for places.”
The Wellington Phoenix were unchanged from their previous game, a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne City.
And it was Victory who had most of the early running.
Sophie Harding saw the first chance fall her way four minutes in, but missed her kick when well-placed to fire home.
Manaia Elliott tried to respond soon afterwards, getting underneath a bouncing ball and sending it over the bar.
Victory were playing physically, ending up committing fifteen fouls to the Nix’s two.
They almost broke the deadlock when Alana Jancevski’s corner found its way to Claudia Bunge at the back post, who nodded into the side netting.
But they would take the lead just before half-time, Holly Furphy pouncing on a loose ball in the area and finishing via Vic Esson’s shins.
The Phoenix came out of the sheds a different side and started to flex their muscle as they pushed for an equaliser.
Grace Jale shot just too high from the top of the box, before Courtney Newbon made a brave intervention to prevent Tameka Yallop from tapping home her first goal in Wellington colours.
In the end, it was Makala Woods who scored for a fourth game running, continuing a streak dating back to last season.
Brooke Nunn had been threatening all afternoon, and her cutback from the right found Woods open in the box, where she finished with aplomb.
There was a spring in the step of the hosts after the goal, and they continued to apply pressure.
Alyssha Eglinton replaced Manaia Elliott in the 79th minute, Priestman’s first change.
The Nix thought they had a late winner, but Pia Vlok was flagged offside after toe-poking Nunn’s through-ball into the net.
Emma Taylor-Main was the second substitute on, replacing Yallop in injury time, and she almost made the perfect impact, thudding a header against the post with the last meaningful kick of the game.
The Wellington Phoenix women have their first away trip next week, as they travel all the way to Perth to face the Glory on Sunday night.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG (c), 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT (25. Alyssha EGLINTON 79th), 13. Tameka YALLOP (20. Emma TAYLOR-MAIN 90+3), 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY, 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 31. Makala WOODS.
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 3. Lara WALL, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Sienna CANDY, 26. Lily BRAZENDALE.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Sophie HARDING (7. Ella O’GRADY 70th), 9. Holly FURPHY (11. Nickoletta FLANNERY 86th), 10. Sienna SAVESKA (21. Jasmine MILLAR 86th), 13. Angela BEARD, 14. Alicia WOODS (2. Skye LEACH 39th concussion), 16. Anna SUTTER, 18. Kayla MORRISON (c), 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI (28. Sienna TECHERA 75th).
Unused substitutes: 25. Ayana AOYAGI (gk), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT.
Goals:
9. Holly FURPHY (Melbourne Victory) – 40th
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – 63rd
