Wellington Phoenix 1-4 Western United
by Ryan Miller-Woods (26/11/22)
Above: Western United come away with possession at Wellington Phoenix today. Photo: Liberty A-League.
Wellington Phoenix have been handed a 4-1 home defeat for the second week in a row as the new kids on the block in the A-League Women Western United, scored three goals within the span of eleven minutes to seal the outcome.
Just like last week, and for 20 minutes into the second half of this match, it could have been anyone’s game as both sides had chances, but once more it came down to who converted theirs.
Early on it was an even battle, with United having the first opportunity when Wellington goalkeeper Brianna Edwards only just kept out a corner as it curled in.
For the Phoenix, their first major chance at goal came in the 12th minute with a great ball being put just ahead of Paige Satchell that was just held by Western United goalkeeper Hillary Beal. If the ball had come to Satchell slightly earlier to her feet, the ball could have been very much been in the back of the net.
The visitors took the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark when an attempted clearance from Nix’s Kate Taylor bounced off United’s Jess McDonald and incidentally back into the path of Keane, who controlled it and slotted across to McDonald, who hit a first time shot past Edwards.
Crucially for the hosts, they levelled within six minutes. Marisa Van der Meer seized the chance at the first time of asking with her header.
After a quite close third quarter of the match, Western United debutant Tyla-Jay Vlajnić’s corner was placed perfectly onto the head of Sydney Cummings, who steered the ball past Edwards and into the back of the net.
Vlajnić’s corners continued to cause chaos, and within seven minutes it contributed to another goal. Edwards could only punch it into the air and when the ball finally came down it came off of Lancaster’s shoulder gifting Keane a very simple goal as she stuck her leg to direct the ball home.
The final goal of the match came in the 82nd minute. Emma Robers crossed the ball beautifully to Keane in the box who then headed the ball perfectly past Edwards for 4-1.
Western United’s perfect start to the season will be tested next weekend when they travel to South Australia to face Adelaide United in what looks a fascinating challenge. As for Wellington, they travel to Melbourne Victory for a battle of two winless teams.
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-1-2): Edwards, Foster, Barry, Taylor, Van der Meer, Robertson, Hassett, Knott, Whinham, Pritchard, Satchell. Substitutes: Candy, Vosper, Cicco, Lancaster, Clegg.
Scorer: Van der Meer 23’.
WESTERN UNITED (3-3-4): Beall, Papadopoulos, Cummings, Cerne, Vlajnić, M.Taranto, Robers, A.Taranto, McDonald, Keane, Johnson. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Sardo, Logarzo, Sawicki, Iermano.
Scorers: McDonald 16’, Cummings 70’, Keane 77’, 82’.
Referee: Bec Mackie.
Attendance: 1,541.
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