Ninja A-League round 15 Match Review

The Wellington Phoenix have celebrated a number of firsts in Newcastle tonight.

The Phoenix have recorded their biggest ever road win, beating the Jets 5-1 at No. 2 Sportsground in Newcastle to reclaim second spot and sit just two points adrift of competition leaders Melbourne City.

It’s the women’s maiden win in Newcastle, the first time the team have won three road matches in a season, and young forward Pia Vlok has become the first Nix player to score a hat-trick in the Ninja A-League.

Midfielder Emma Pijnenburg and defender Ellie Walker also scored their first goals for the club.

“That’s a lot of firsts,” Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman said post-match. “I challenge the group to be pioneers and go and do firsts for this club.

“We knew what tonight meant and I’m really happy and over the moon with the overall performance.

“The second half was a bit messier trying to get some fresh legs on and players off with Perth in mind but overall, I’ve got to be delighted with that.

“We just keep building. You can start to see the consistency that’s starting to come to life in the team with the players that are now available.”

At 17 years and 150 days Vlok is also the second youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition’s history.

“From the minute she walked through the door we’ve seen what you saw tonight every day in training, and I think that’s the difference.

“Whether she’s scored three goals or no goals she trains the same way and her standards are really high.

“She’s got a really bright future. We’ve got to protect her a little bit and make sure she’s fulfilling her potential, but she’s a top player and well-liked by the group.”

Bev Priestman made one change to the XI which started last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Adelaide United, with Manaia Elliott replacing Lara Wall at left wingback.

Wall was named amongst the substitutes alongside fit-again defender Tiana Jaber, who missed the first half of the season recovering from a broken leg.

Playing with the wind at their backs, the Phoenix caused the Jets all sorts of problems with their press and scored their first three goals after winning the ball high up the pitch.

Vlok gave the Phoenix the lead in the 10^th minute when she picked out the bottom left corner with a quality finish from the edge of the box after Elliott won possession high up the pitch.

Makala Woods curled a shot narrowly wide moments later after Vlok had pinched a Jets’ player’s pocket, and the American thought she had made it 2-0 soon after. However her goal wasn’t awarded as Woods was deemed to have committed a foul before taking her shot.

Vlok produced another quality strike from the edge of the box in the 15^th minute to beat rookie Newcastle ‘keeper Georgia Ritchie after the Jets again couldn’t find a way through Wellington’s press.

Five minutes later the Nix had their third goal, with Pijnenburg shooting from outside the box and squeezing her shot past Ritchie and inside the right-hand post.

Walker made it 4-0 in the 24^th minute, flicking on a volley from inside the six yard box after the Jets were unable to clear a right wing corner.

Lucía León smashed a shot into the side-netting soon after, having created an opening for herself in the Newcastle penalty area.

Woods rattled the left-hand post half an hour into the match and unfortunately for her the rebound went straight to the Jets’ young ‘keeper.

The American had the Phoenix’s final goal scoring opportunity of the first half but she sliced a left-footed shot well side of goal.

Newcastle registered their only shot on target of the half in the second minute of time added with former Nix forward Kelli Brown shooting straight into Vic Esson’s arms from a deep free kick.

The Jets started the second half with more energy and it took almost 15 minutes into the second half before Wellington had a shot on goal.

Grace Jale called Newcastle’s ‘keeper into action when she shot straight from a long-range free kick. Ritchie spilled Jale’s shot but was able to regather the ball before the onrushing Phoenix players.

Priestman made her first substitutions soon after, bringing on Wall and Zoe Benson in place of Marisa van der Meer and León.

Esson made a good save shortly after the hour mark to deny Jets substitute Alexis Collins and the Phoenix were able to block the follow-up shot.

Newcastle were enjoying a good spell and Josie Allan shot narrowly over the bar in the 63^rd minute at the end of a threatening attack.

Moments later Vlok completed her hat-trick to make it 5-0. She got in behind the Jets’ defence, cut on to her left and squeezed a shot past Ritchie.

Allan shot just wide soon after and then forced a fingertip save from Esson.

With Friday’s match against Perth Glory in mind, Priestman all but cleared her bench in the 72^nd minute, with Daisy Brazendale, Tiana Jaber and Mackenzie Anthony replacing Jale, Vlok and Woods respectively.

Newcastle were finally rewarded for their endeavour a minute later when Melina Ayres poked home after the Nix were unable to clear a left-wing cross.

Ritchie made a further couple of saves to deny Benson and Brooke Nunn before the match was suspended in the 88^th minute due to lightning.

After speaking to both teams the match officials deemed the 5-1 scoreline was final and the players didn’t return for the remainder of the 90 and stoppage time.

The Wellington Phoenix will travel home tomorrow before quickly turning their attentions to their match against Perth Glory at Sky Stadium on Waitangi Day.

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (c), 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 72^nd), 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 14. Lucía LEÓN (27. Zoe BENSON 60^th), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER (21. Lara WALL 60^th), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (3. Tiana JABER 72^nd), 31. Makala WOODS (30. Mackenzie ANTHONY 72^nd), 32. Emma PIJNENBURG.
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk).

Newcastle Jets: 12. Georgia RITCHIE (gk), 2. Josie WILSON (6. Cassidy DAVIS 60^th), 3. Claudia CICCO, 4. Natasha PRIOR, 8. Emma DUNDAS, 10, Elizabeth COPUS-BROWN (c) (30. Alexis COLLINS 46^th), 14. Melina AYRES, 18. Sophie HOBAN, 26. Josie ALLAN, 32. Claire ADAMS (11. Charlotte LANCASTER 46^th), 44. Kelli BROWN (13. Lauren ALLAN 68^th).
Unused substitutes: 50. Ally BOERTJE (gk), 7. India BREIER.

Goals:
24. Pia VLOK (Wellington Phoenix) – 10^th, 15^th & 64^th
32. Emma PIJNENBURG (Wellington Phoenix) – 20^th
5. Ellie WALKER (Wellington Phoenix) – 24^th
14. Melina AYRES (Newcastle Jets) – 73^rd

Cards:
4. Mackenzie BARRY (c) (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 49^th
3. Claudia CICCO (Newcastle Jets) – yellow – 57^th
14. Lucía LEÓN (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 59^th
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 70^th