The Wellington Phoenix reserves have been beaten for the fourth time in this year’s women’s National League Championship, but for the first time on their travels.
The Phoenix reserves have lost 3-1 to Canterbury United Pride at English Park in Christchurch after trailing 2-0 at halftime.
The reserves had beaten Ellerslie and drawn with Western Springs in their two previous matches away from their Fraser Park home.Head coach Katie Barrott was only able to call on two first team squad members, Zoe McMeeken and Daisy Brazendale for the trip south, with Alyssa Whinham and Michaela Robertson replaced by Alyssha Eglinton and Sienna Candy.
The young Nix were playing catch up soon after kick-off, with the Pride scoring twice from corners in the opening 11 minutes.
The second from Charlotte Mortlock was spectacular and came direct from the corner.
Canterbury United scored a third early in the second half to all but secure the three points.
Mackenzie Greene was introduced midway through the half and was followed soon after by her New Zealand U-16 teammate Angela Pivac, who was able to make her long-awaited national league debut.
McMeeken pulled a goal back for the Phoenix reserves six minutes from fulltime, breaking forward from left back and slotting her shot across Canterbury ‘keeper Una Foyle and into the far corner.
The Wellington Phoenix reserves remain eighth in the 10-team competition, with three rounds to play.
They will return to Fraser Park next Sunday afternoon to host Auckland United, who are tied for second with Western Springs and Southern United.
Wellington Phoenix reserves: 22. Charlotte EAGLE (gk), 2. Rebekah TREWHITT (24. Libby MCMILLAN 83rd), 4. Marie GREEN, 5. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 9. ELLA MCCANN, 12. Ella MCMILLAN (c), 13. Grace BARTLETT (18. Mackenzie BRYANT 83rd), 14. Alyssa EGLINTON, 16. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 31. Phoebe HAWES (25. Mackenzie GREENE 67th), 40. Sienna CANDY (28. Angela PIVAC 74th).
Unused substitutes: 26. Ellie JOHNSON.
Canterbury United: 1. Una FOYLE (gk), 2. Ellena FIRTH, 3. Charlotte ROCHE (14. Darsha KEOGAN 72nd), 4. Lara WALL (c), 6. Anna MCPHIE (8. Lisa EVANS 80th), 7. Aimee PHILLIPS (17. Jonelle ARTHUR 62nd), 9. Lainey ALTIERI-NEED (12. Chloe BELLAMY 62nd), 10. Charlotte MORTLOCK, 13. Whitney HEPBURN, 16. Lily FISHER, 21. Nicola DOMINIKOVICH (18. Sara MANN. 62nd).
Goals:
13. Whitney HEPBURN (Canterbury United) – 8th
10. Charlotte MORTLOCK (Canterbury United) – 11th
7. Aimee PHILLIPS (Canterbury United) – 54th
5. Zoe MCMEEKEN (Wellington Phoenix reserves) – 84th
