A tough weekend for the Wellington Phoenix, as the opening round of the National League brought two defeats.
The men’s reserves faced Eastern Suburbs at home in their first match of the campaign.
Despite a solid performance for most of the game, the Nix ended up on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.
The first half was cagey, with chances at a premium and neither side able to really test the opposing goalkeeper.
As the second half drew on, the game opened up just enough for Eastern Suburbs to take the lead late on, before adding another in injury time as the Nix pushed for an equaliser.
This weekend, the men’s reserves travel to English Park to play Cashmere Technical on Sunday, 6th October at 2pm.
Meanwhile, the women’s reserves were in Christchurch to face the Canterbury United Pride.
They fell to a 4-1 defeat, but showed plenty of fight in a tough game.
Rebekah Trewhitt’s powerful finish put the Nix in front, and they were unlucky not to be up by more, with the woodwork and a goal line clearance both denying Wellington.
However, Canterbury showed a much more clinical edge, equalising before half-time, then running away with the game during the second period.
The Phoenix’s next game comes at Fraser Park on Friday, 4th October at 7pm against Waterside Karori.
In the youth National League, the U-17 girls’ Wellington Phoenix side won 2-1 away to Canterbury United Pride Youth.
Isabella Temple scored both goals to continue the team’s perfect start.
The boy’s U-17 team also stayed perfect, winning 5-0 away to Palmerston North United with Alessandro Marchesse bagging a brace.
Replays and highlights of all senior National League games are available to watch on FIFA+.
