Makala Woods has earned the Wellington Phoenix a rare point in Victoria before the Ninja A-League breaks for a fortnight.
The American striker has scored her fourth goal since joining the club as an injury replacement to secure the Phoenix a 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne.
Woods equalised in the 87th minute after the Victory had taken the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half.
It’s only the second time Wellington have left Melbourne with a point, pleasing head coach Bev Priestman.
“I’m delighted to pick up a point on the road,” Priestman said.
“We had a lot of chances that we should have put away and that’s a little bit of a learning for us, but with the tight turnaround, in that heat, and when you pick up a point late in the game…it always feels better than probably a draw from the beginning.
“Credit to Victory. I thought it was a very good performance from them. They really tested us.
“But I’m happy we got the point and probably this international break is much needed for the group.”
It’s Woods’ ninth goal contribution in just seven matches, with five assists to go with her four goals since joining the squad at the start of the year.
“She’s been a great addition to the squad. She brings energy, she’s dynamic and she’s just a real positive influence in the group.
“That’s really lifted the group at a time that they needed it.
“She didn’t really have a pre-season with us. She had a bit of an off-season and then in, so for someone like her this break is going to be needed.”
Bev Priestman made two changes to the XI which started Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Central Coast, with Grace Jale and Emma Pijnenburg returning in place of Mackenzie Anthony and Daisy Brazendale, who were named amongst the substitutes.
Manaia Elliott had the first goalscoring opportunity in the fifth minute when she found a bit of space outside the Victory penalty area, but she blazed her shot over the bar.
The Victory had almost three quarters of possession in the first quarter of the match, but most of it was deep inside their half and they were unable to test Phoenix ‘keeper Victoria Esson.
The Nix took control after the first cooling break in the 24th minute.
Woods had an opportunity to test Victory goalkeeper Courtney Newbon shortly before the half hour mark when she got on the end of a piercing through ball from Pia Vlok, but the American sliced her left-footed effort wide of goal.
Five minutes later Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge produced an important goal-line clearance to keep out an in-swinging right-wing corner from Elliott and Vlok had a shot blocked in the Victory penalty area.
Newbon made her first save in the 38th minute and it was a good one down low to her left to keep out a sharp effort from Brook Nunn, who had controlled a tough pass with her first touch and then shot with her second.
The Victory shot stopper made another big save at the end of the half, keeping out a point blank shot from Nunn following a left-wing Wellington corner.
Nunn also produced a threatening cross in the third and final minute of stoppage time but the hosts were are able to scramble clear.
The Englishwoman continued to look a threat at the start of the second half but the Phoenix soon found themselves a goal down from the hosts’ first shot on target.
The Victory were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after Nix midfielder Grace Jale was deemed to have fouled her opposite Sofia Sakalis in the Wellington box. Rhianna Pollicina converted the spot kick, picking out the top left corner.
Priestman made her first substitution soon after, bringing on Anthony in place of Pijnenburg.
The American was almost immediately into the action, combining with her countrywoman Woods, but Anthony was unable to make proper contact to the left-wing cross to trouble Victory’s goal. Vlok had a shot blocked in the penalty area moments later.
After a quiet spell the Phoenix threatened an equaliser after the second cooling break.
Elliott had a shot from the left edge of the box saved by Newbon at her near post, Woods was denied a header from close-range by some last-ditch defending and Elliott produced a powerful drive across goal, but none of her teammates were there to turn it in.
Lucía León had to be substituted with less than 10 minutes remaining because of cramp and Zoe Benson took her place.
Esson made a good save moments later to keep the Nix in the match, denying Victory striker Kennedy White after she slipped in behind the Wellington defence.
Woods drew the Phoenix level with three minutes remaining in the 90, controlling a defence-splitting pass from Vlok and then shooting past Newbon and into the left hand corner. It came after a string of Wellington corners.
Vlok was substituted soon after with Brazendale taking their place.
Neither side was able to produce a clear cut opportunity in the seven minutes of stoppage time with Nunn coming closest with a first-time effort from the edge of the box that looped over the goal in the fourth minute of time added on.
Seven Wellington Phoenix players will now head away on international duty with the A-League resuming in three weeks’ time when the Nix will play host to Brisbane Roar at the renamed Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, March 14 as part of the Match For Good double-header.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (c), 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 14. Lucía LEÓN (27. Zoe BENSON 82nd), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 89th), 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG (30. Mackenzie ANTHONY 59th).
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 3. Tiana JABER, 20. Emma MAIN.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Courtney NEWBON (gk), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 5. Sofia SAKALIS (66. Alana JANCEVSKI 81st), 6. Taylor RAY, 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 90+1), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (c), 23. Rache LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT (27. Rosie CURTIS 82nd).
Unused substitutes: 30. Payton WOODWARD (gk), 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 81. Grace MAHER.
Goals:
10. Rhianna POLLICINA (Melbourne Victory) – 52nd pen
31. Makala WOODS (Wellington Phoenix) – 87th
