The Wellington Phoenix have won their third straight match at Porirua Park to continue their rise up the Ninja A-League ladder.
The Phoenix have beaten Perth Glory 2-0 in their first match of 2025 thanks to second half goals from Grace Jale and Olivia Fergusson.
After losing their first three matches of the season, the Nix are now sixth on the table and just two points off fourth.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple says it was the perfect way to start the new year.
“Happy with how we played, especially the second half,” Temple told media post-match. “And thoroughly deserved the win I thought.
“We created a lot of good opportunities and probably could have been a lot more clinical as well. Decision making in around the box at times can be a bit better.
“But these are good problems to have because as soon as we start fixing those things we’re just going to start scoring a lot more goals.
“We’re creating a lot and getting in their box so I’m pleased with that.
“We’re starting to show it’s clicking, and things are starting to move in the right direction.
“I think we’re a team that can beat anyone and will be a force if we can carry this on.”
Jale’s goal was a quality long-range strike and a near replica of her first of the season which came at Porirua Park a fortnight ago.
“It was a great goal,” Temple said. “She’s been doing those at training time after time and I keep telling her she’s got to keep shooting as she’s got such unbelievable ability.
“There’s proof now two games in a row of what she can do.
“There will be more to come, she just needs to keep believing in herself.”
Paul Temple made two changes to the XI which started last Saturday’s narrow defeat to top of the table Melbourne City with Zoe McMeeken and Mebae Tanaka returning to the side in place of Alivia Kelly and Daisy Brazendale, who moved to the bench.
Mebae Tanaka had the Phoenix’s first goalscoring opportunity inside three minutes after Glory ‘keeper Casey Dumont was unable to deal with Lara Wall’s left-wing cross. Defender Grace Johnston came to Dumont’s rescue, blocking Tanaka’s shot from close-range.
The Japanese forward had an even better chance to open the scoring midway through the second half when Annalie Longo picked her out with a pinpoint cross. But unfortunately for the Nix and Tanaka she headed over the bar from six yards out.
Wellington had the majority of possession for the first half an hour but were unable to test Dumont.
Perth’s goalkeeper did make a sharp save at her near post soon after to keep out a shot from Grace Jale.
It was the closest the Phoenix came to breaking the deadlock in the first 45 and it remained scoreless at halftime.
Jale put the Nix in front less than 120 seconds into the second half. Carolina Vilão, who hadn’t been required to make a save in the first half, found the Football Ferns on halfway and Jale ran at Perth’s defenders before unleashing a shot from 20 odd metres out that beat Vilão’s opposite and nestled inside the left-hand post.
The Glory had a couple of shots after going behind, but neither required Wellington’s ‘keeper to make a save.
Olivia Fergusson headed home the Phoenix’s second goal from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Wall found her with an inch-perfect left-wing cross.
Perth substitute Tanika Lala registered the visitors’ first shot on goal in the 85th minute but Vilão was up to the task and made a sharp save to keep her clean sheet intact.
Forward Miku Sunaga came within inches of pulling a goal back for the Glory when she blasted the follow up against the crossbar.
It was the closest Perth would come to scoring during the 90 minutes plus stoppage time, while captain Annalie Longo almost scored Wellington’s third deep into time added on when she found the side-netting from a free-kick.
The Nix would have to be satisfied with back-to-back 2-0 home wins.
The Wellington Phoenix have little time to celebrate as they two matches on the road next week. They’ll visit Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday night before heading to South Australia to play Adelaide United on Sunday.
Wellington Phoenix: 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk), 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 71st), 3. Tiana JABER (5. Alivia KELLY 71st), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 80th), 14. Mebae TANAKA (20. Emma MAIN 80th), 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 21. Lara WALL.
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk).
Perth Glory: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk), 5. Grace JOHNSTON, 7. Megan WYNNE (25. Ella LINCOLN 85th), 8. Georgia CASSIDY, 9., Gabrielle HOLLAR (26. Tanika LALA 54th), 11. Natalie TATHEM, 13. Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMA, 14. Miku SUNAGA, 18. Isabella FOLETTA, 27. Charli WAINWRIGHT (4. Claudia VALLETTA 74th), 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG (c).
Unused substitutes: 21. Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 23. Isobel DALTON.
Goals:
7. Grace JALE (Wellington Phoenix) – 47th
9. Olivia FERGUSSON (Wellington Phoenix) – 69th
Cards:
4. Mackenzie BARRY (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 11th
3. Tiana JABER (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 16th
2. Zoe MCMEEKEN (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 59th
18. Isabella FOLETTA (Perth Glory) – yellow – 63rd
