The Wellington Phoenix have moved to the top of the Ninja A-League for the first time in the club’s history.
The Phoenix have won their fourth straight match, beating Perth Glory 1-0 at Sky Stadium in Wellington, to move a point clear of reigning premiers Melbourne City with seven regular season matches remaining.
American forward Makala Woods scored the match winner for the Nix in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman is proud the team have created more history.
“Sometimes it’s not the best performance, but nobody remembers that,” Priestman told media post-match.
“We spoke about making history as a team. Obviously, first is a first for this team and four wins in a row is also a first.
“We’re not getting carried away. There’s still a lot of games to go but I’m super, super proud of their effort.”
The players celebrated with the Yellow Fever at the end of the match with Woods on drums.
“There’s a real love there for the fans and they just really want to do anything to bring success to this city, because it deserves it.
“This club, top to bottom,…taking the women’s game seriously, this is a club that is not messing around.
“The ownership group, Rob Morrison, Gilly (director of football Shaun Gill), Domey (general manager David Dome) they get a lot of stick at times, [but] they’re doing it properly and I’m really proud to be a part of this club, especially today.”
Bev Priestman made one change to the XI which started Sunday’s 5-1 win over Newcastle Jets, with Lara Wall returning at left wingback in place of Manaia Elliott. Emma Main returned on the bench after missing the past two matches with illness.
Pia Vlok, fresh from scoring the team’s first hat-trick, had the Phoenix’s first shot of the match in the eighth minute. Vlok produced a left-footed effort from the edge of the box that was comfortably held by Glory goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey.
The Nix had what looked to be their best opportunity of the first half just two minutes later. Some good interplay between Makala Woods and Lucía León finished with Woods having a gilt-edged chance in the Perth penalty area. However, Morrissey saw the danger and was quick to get off her line to snuff out the opportunity.
León threatened with a clever flick on the edge of the six yard box moments later, but it was partially blocked by a Perth defender and went narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
The Glory registered their first shot midway through the first half. It was straight at Vic Esson, who held on to the effort.
Wellington had another good spell shortly after the half hour mark. Brooke Nunn turned and shot from 25 odd metres out and Marisa van der Meer headed a long-range free kick on target. Unfortunately for Nunn and van der Meer both were straight at Perth’s keeper.
Esson was tested at her near post five minutes out from halftime, saving an effort from Susan Phonsongkham.
Woods put the Phoenix in front on the strike of halftime, winning possession high up the pitch before slotting a shot past Morrissey and inside the left-hand post.
Priestman made a change at the interval, bringing on Elliott in place of Wall.
Nunn had a chance to double Wellington’s lead five minutes into the second half when she was played in behind by Vlok. But Morrissey was again quick off her line to deny Nunn a goalscoring opportunity.
The Glory thought they were awarded a goal a handful of minutes later but referee Anna Marie Keighly in fact awarded a free kick to the Nix for a foul on Esson.
Mackenzie Anthony came on in place of León soon after and made a near immediate impact. She delivered a piercing through ball that released Woods into the Perth penalty area but her fellow American was denied by some last ditch Glory defending.
Anthony found Grace Jale on the penalty spot in the 74th minute with a neat cutback and Jale smashed the crossbar, much to Perth’s relief.
Moments earlier Priestman made her final substitution of the afternoon, bringing on Zoe Benson in place of Vlok. Daisy Brazendale had entered the game shortly after the hour mark, with Emma Pijnenburg heading off.
There were few goalscoring opportunities for either side in the remaining quarter of an hour and stoppage time with the Phoenix hanging on to secure all three points and a club record fourth straight win to both to the top of the ladder.
The Wellington Phoenix will return to their Porirua Park fortress next Sunday to play Central Coast Mariners.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (c), 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 14. Lucía LEÓN (30. Mackenzie ANTHONY 56th), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Lara WALL (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 46th), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (27. Zoe BENSON 72nd), 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 62nd).
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 20. Emma MAIN.
Perth Glory: 1. Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 3. Emma TOVAR, 5. Grace JOHNSTON, 6. Tijan MCKENNA, 10. Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11. Natalie TATHEM (19. Sarah O’DONOGHUE 46th), 12. Bronte TREW, 17. Roly BADAWIYA (25. Ella LINCOLN (79th), 23. Isobel DALTON (c), 24. Julia SARDO, 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG.
Unused substitutes: 30. Jessica SKINNER (gk), 2. Mischa ANDERSON, 9. Gabrielle HOLLAR, 27. Charli WAINWRIGHT.
Goals:
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) 45+4
Cards:
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 83rd
