The Wellington Phoenix have made it three games without a win to open the Ninja A-League season.
The long trip to Perth has left them empty-handed after a first-half double saw Perth Glory take a 2-0 win at HBF Park in Perth.
The Nix huffed and puffed, with plenty of the ball in the second half, but couldn’t break the opposition down.
Head coach Bev Priestman is disappointed with a below-par performance.
“All credit to Perth, I think they were clinical,” she told media post-match.
“For me I’m frustrated, we had like seventeen shots, maybe eleven off target.
“It’s been the story of how we’ve started the season.
“We are creating the chances, but at the end of the day you have to put the ball in the back of the net.
“This is only the second game we’ve had a difference of two goals, one was the A-League final, the other was tonight, and I think that’s not our standard.”
Another concern is the health of Makala Woods, who was forced off the field after a full-blooded challenge caught her square on the ankle.
“I must admit, I was a bit frustrated. I thought it was a really poor tackle, I thought there was a penalty in the game as well.
“The player safety part, it wasn’t a great tackle.
“She’s not weight-bearing at the moment but I’m hoping it’s nothing too major, at least not season-ending.”
Bev Priestman made a single change to the side that drew with Melbourne Victory last week, academy graduate Alyssha Eglinton replacing Manaia Elliott and slotting into midfield.
New signings Milly Clegg and Kam Pickett also appeared on the bench for the first time this season.
Makala Woods almost made an ideal start for the Nix, blazing over from close range after Brooke Nunn fed a delightful ball into the area.
But Perth were the side to take the lead against the run of play early, Emma Tovar converting after great buildup play from the hosts.
A momentum-altering incident occurred in the 13th minute, Ella Buchanan’s studs-up challenge catching Makala Woods flush on her ankle.
No foul was given, but if VAR had been in operation it would certainly have been reviewed for a red card.
The American was forced off with what looked like a potentially serious injury, Emma Taylor-Main taking her place.
Indiah-Paige Riley tried to take matters into her own hands soon afterwards, driving down the left and firing a cross towards Tameka Yallop, who couldn’t redirect it on target.
Riley had a shot headed over the bar by Baxter Thew just a minute later, which looked to be creeping inside the post before the intervention.
It was all Glory from there until the end of the half, and earned a second goal when Rola Badawiya headed in from a corner.
She almost doubled her personal tally right at the end of first-half stoppage time, pinging a long-range shot off the bar.
The second half again saw the Nix command plenty of possession without much to show for it.
Grace Jale played in Nunn, who’d snuck into some space on the right hand side, but the wing-back couldn’t get her shot on goal.
There were a couple more opportunities before Perth completely shut up shop, Tameka Yallop first air-swinging at Taylor-Main’s cross before Riley poked over at the back post.
Pickett and Clegg both came on at the hour mark, with Eglinton and the substitute Taylor-Main replaced.
From there it was Glory who posed more of a threat, Trew firing over on the counter from the best Perth chance.
The final substitution was Manaia Elliott replacing Yallop with just minutes to go, but she couldn’t help the Nix avoid a second defeat of the season.
The Wellington Phoenix stay in Australia this week as they prepare to face Adelaide United on Friday night.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG (c), 7. Grace JALE, 13. Tameka YALLOP (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 86th), 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY, 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 25. Alyssha EGLINTON (30. Kam PICKETT 60th), 31. Makala WOODS (20. TAYLOR-MAIN 17th) (8. Milly CLEGG 60th).
Unused substitutes: 32. Brooke NEARY (gk), 3. Lara WALL, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER.
Perth Glory: 21. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 3. Ella BUCHANAN (12. Bronte TREW 73rd), 5. Baxter THEW, 6. Emma TOVAR, 8. Georgia CASSIDY (11. Ella ADBUL MASSIH 73rd), 9. Maggie JENKINS (25. Ella LINCOLN 65th), 10. Susan PHONSONGKAM, 17. Rola BADAWIYA (7. Megan WYNNE 62nd), 19. Clancy WESTAWAY (23. Isabel DALTON 62nd), 24. Julia SARDO, 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG.
Unused substitutes: 1. Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 2. Mischa ANDERSON.
Goals:
Emma Tovar (Perth Glory) – 5th
Rola Badawiya (Perth Glory) – 40th
Cards:
Grace Jale (Wellington Phoenix) – 27th
