Melbourne City have maintained their perfect record over the Wellington Phoenix in the Ninja A-League.
The reigning premiers have beaten the Phoenix 2-1 at Porirua Park in Wellington to make it eight wins from eight over the Nix.
City led 2-0 at halftime after scoring both of their goals in a five minute spell a third of the way into the first half.
New signing Makala Woods, who made her debut as a halftime substitute, scored in the 90th minute to set up a frantic finish but it turned out to be a mere consolation.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman was disappointed with the performance, especially in the first half.
“I think we started the game poorly and from that it was an uphill battle,” Priestman told media post-match. “We made it difficult for ourselves.
“It was a great opportunity for the people who were on the pitch. We felt some of the personalities missing out there.
“I really was happy by the end in terms of them stepping up, character [and] chasing the game.
“They gave it everything by the end but that’s two games where uncharacteristically we’ve conceded and at the edge of the box and that’s something we have to learn from.
“I’m frustrated because I really do think that us at our best we could have won that game.”
Woods’ goal on debut was one of the positives.
“Her last game was in October, she’s been with us for three days and if that’s what she puts out after that I’m really happy with the signing.
“She brings something different to the group and gave us a bit of a handful for the opposition in the box.
“I’m delighted she’s got on the scoring board very quickly as a forward and just shows that personality out there.”
Bev Priestman made three changes to the XI which started last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar, one of which was enforced following the season-ending injury to Sabitra Bhandari.
Lucía León replaced Samba in the front three, while midfielder Daisy Brazendale and wingback Lara Wall came into the side for Emma Pijnenburg and Manaia Elliott respectively, who were named amongst the substitutes alongside Woods.
City fired a warning shot across the Phoenix’s goal just 30 seconds into the match, with Nigerian forward Chinazu Uchendu blazing an effort narrowly wide of Vic Esson’s right-hand post.
The Nix threatened from their first foray forward a couple of minutes later with Wall’s stooping header just wide of the post after Brooke Nunn had got the better of her defender and delivered an enticing cross on to the edge of the six-yard box.
Nunn had a shot from the edge of the box shortly after the 10 minute mark after a promising Wellington attack but it was straight at City goalkeeper Malena Mieres.
Leticia McMenna gave City the lead a handful of minutes later, slotting home from the top of the box after some good work down the left flank from Rebekah Stott and Danella Butrus.
Aideen Keane doubled the visitors’ lead midway through the first half, tapping into an empty net after Butrus’ shot squeezed past Esson.
An injury break soon after gave Priestman the opportunity to talk to the team and they responded well.
Grace Jale had a long-range effort that was collected by Mieres at the second attempt and Nunn produced another threatening right-wing cross, but this time it was well defended by City.
There was little goalmouth action in the final 15 minutes of the first half and the visitors went into the break with a two goal advantage.
Priestman made two substitutions at halftime, bringing on Woods and Elliott in place of León and Wall.
The changes had an impact with the Phoenix earning their first two corners early in the second half. They caused City some problems without threatening their goal.
Pijnenburg entered the match early in the second half too in place of Brazendale.
The Nix had a half chance in the 55th minute when Mieres spilled a cross under pressure from Woods and Emma Main shot over the bar after the ball fell to her at the top of the box.
City’s goalkeeper was comfortably the busier of the two during this period. She did well to beat Woods to a deep cross from Ellie Walker after the two Americans endeavoured to combine and then made a good save to deny Pia Vlok, who had cut in and unleashed a left-footed shot following some good work down Wellington’s right flank.
The Phoenix continued to get into good positions in the final third but were unable to produce the final pass or cross to unlock the visitors’ defence.
City came closest to the goal’s third goal of the game when they headed wide from a corner in the 77th minute.
Moments later Main had a great opportunity to get the Nix on the board when she got in behind the City backline, but she was unable to beat Mieres, who got off her line quickly and snuffed out the chance.
Wellington finally got a reward for all their endeavour in the final minute of normal time when Woods nodded home a deep right-wing cross from Nunn.
The Phoenix threw absolutely everything at City in time added on, including playing Walker as a second striker, and won three corners but were unable to take advantage of them.
The visitors defended bravely and held on for all three points.
The Wellington Phoenix will quickly turn their attentions to next Saturday’s match against second-placed Canberra United.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (c), 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 14. Lucía LEÓN (31. Makala WOODS 46th), 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE (32. Emma PIJNENBURG 54th), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 46th), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK.
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 27. Zoe BENSON, 28. Grace BARTLETT.
Melbourne City: 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS (22. Bryleeh HENRY 46th), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA (2. Ellie WILSON 90th), 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU (11. Deven JACKSON 85th), 18. Leah DAVIDSON (16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN 31st), 21. Aideen KEANE.
Unused substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 17. Kaya JUGOVIC.
Goals:
6. Leticia MCKENNA (Melbourne City) – 16th
21. Aideen KEANE (Melbourne City) – 21st
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – 90th
