The Wellington Phoenix women have fallen to Melbourne City yet again.
Despite Wellington taking the lead in the second half, two set-piece goals for City condemned them to a 2-1 opening day defeat at Hnry Stadium.
The Nix dominated much of the possession and territory throughout the game, but fell away late on.
It marks the tenth time the Nix have tasted defeat against this opposition from ten attempts.
Head coach Bev Priestman is “proud of the performance”.
“Football is cruel sometimes,” she told media post-match. “It took them a penalty and a direct free kick to hurt us and we outshot them.
“It’s now turning that possession and the opportunities into more goals and I think we would have put that game to bed earlier.
“But I’m super proud of the effort. You look at those Football Ferns, they’re hanging on for dear life and we’re having to get them off and we looked a little bit light at the very end of the game.
She is confident that there is plenty more to come in future weeks.
“Overall we look like we’ve taken a step up. That feels clear to me in terms of keeping the ball and a bit more control in our play.
“Now it’s just that ruthless streak that will come with time.
“I’m not worried. It’s a long season and we’ve just got to build on this now. We just have to get our heads down, stick to the process and know that we’re going to improve.”
Bev Priestman named three new signings in her starting XI, with Abby Erceg, Tameka Yallop, and Indiah-Paige Riley all getting the nod.
The Nix created the first chance of note when Riley made her way down the inside-right channel and fired across goal, forcing Malena Mieres to save with her feet.
It was almost all going the hosts’ way, but City still posed a threat on the counter attack.
Erceg showed off her muscle when making a last-ditch challenge on Aideen Keane, who had slalomed past three other black shirts.
The Nix pinned City into their own area and were almost rewarded when Pia Vlok’s low shot on the turn fizzed just past the post.
The best chance of the half fell to Makala Woods in the 31st minute.
When fed in behind by Riley, the American struck her shot fiercely but saw it rebound off the far post.
From there the game fizzled out a little until halftime, with Wellington still enjoying the bulk of possession.
It didn’t take long for Woods to get her customary goal as she gave the Nix the lead in the 52nd minute.
Vlok’s cross almost found Yallop at the back post, and seemed to strike a City hand. Woods made any appeal irrelevant as she swept home on the bounce.
There was almost an instant response from City, who saw Ellie Walker clear off the line following a free kick from wide.
The whistle had gone for a foul on Vic Esson, but it was still a spectacular piece of defending from the centre-back.
Bev Priestman turned to her bench in the 67th minute, bringing on Emma Taylor-Main for Manaia Elliott.
Taylor-Main was involved early on but at the wrong end, as she clipped Taylor Ray in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Melina Ayres converted the penalty despite Esson getting a hand to the shot.
From there it was regular City pressure as the Nix started to tire.
Priestman made a triple change in the 80th minute, bringing off Football Ferns Mackenzie Barry, Grace Jale, and Riley, who were short of match sharpness after returning early from international duty in Panama.
In their place came Lara Wall, Marisa van der Meer, and Alyssha Eglinton, who was making her professional debut.
Erceg nearly snatched the lead back when she got her head to a ball at the back post, Mieres just doing enough to turn it behind.
And the Nix were punished for their profligacy in the 87th minute, when Wall gave away a free kick right on the edge of the area.
There were questions about the decision, which appeared harsh on the Ferns fullback, but Momo Hayashi took full advantage, smashing the ball into the far corner.
It was the last meaningful action of the game before the full-time whistle blew.
The Wellington Phoenix now turn their attention to their game against Melbourne Victory next Sunday at Hnry Stadium in another double-header with the men’s team.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (16. Marisa van der MEER 79th), 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG (c), 7. Grace JALE (25. Alyssha EGLINTON 79th), 11. Maiana ELLIOTT (20. Emma TAYLOR-MAIN 67th), 13. Tameka YALLOP, 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY ( 79th), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 31. Makala WOODS.
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 21. Sienna CANDY, 26. Lily BRAZENDALE.
Melbourne City: 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 8. Momo HAYASHI, 9. Cortnee VINE, 11. Deven JACKSON (20. KELLI MCGROARTY71st), 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 14. Melina AYRES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (c) (13. Rebekah STOTT 46th), 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Taylor RAY.Â
Unused substitutes: Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 26. Chelsea BIGGS, 27. Izabella RAKO.
Goals:
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – 51st
14. Melina AYRES (Melbourne City) – 73rd pen
8. Momo HAYASHI (Melbourne City) – 87th
Cards:
5. Ellie WALKER (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 76th
