Two tight defeats for the Wellington Phoenix reserves in the National League on Labour Weekend.
The women’s reserves, still without a number of players on first team and international duty, went down 2-1 to West Coast Rangers in Auckland.
The Nix took the lead in the 28th minute when Isla Cleall-Harding pounced on a misplaced pass from the goalkeeper and tapped into an empty net.
However, two Rangers goals either side of halftime ensured that the Phoenix would return to Wellington still looking for their first points of the campaign.
The men’s reserves were also away in Auckland, losing 4-2 to Birkenhead United .
Despite going down a goal early, Lachlan Candy equalised in spectacular fashion just three minutes after halftime.
Picking the ball up deep within his own half, Candy drove to the edge of the Birkenhead box, beating three defenders, and powered a shot home.
The lead would not last long, and Birkenhead extended their advantage to 4-2 before David Ball pulled one back in injury time.
Cutting inside from the left and finding the top corner from outside the area, it was a brilliant
consolation goal for the Phoenix.
Both men’s and women’s reserves return to Wellington for home games at Fraser Park on Sunday, November 3.
In the youth National League, the girl’s U-17 side were in action. They travelled to Melville United, but lost, dropping their first points of the season.
An Amelie Lloyd goal was not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat, but they remain second on the table.
Replays and highlights of all senior National League games are available for free on FIFA+.
Main image: Ryan Imray/Imray’s Snaps.
