Five-star Victory overpower the Phoenix
By Callum Logie (03/03/24).
Above: Paige Zois (right, facing camera) celebrates with Tori Hansen. Photo: Melbourne Victory
La Trobe University hosted a clash between teams on different trajectories so far this season with the Victory looking to continue their great form.
Malbourne Victory came into the game after an emphatic 4-0 home victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers. The Wellington Phoenix came in off the end of a 3-0 defeat to Western United, showing the stark difference in form between these two sides.
Two changes were made to the Melbourne Victory team from the Western Sydney Fixture with young Paige Zois getting the start in midfield over Elise Kellond-Knight and Beattie Goad got the start on the wing in place of the brace-scoring McKenzie Weinert who returned to the Seattle Reign.
Wellington made a few changes across its lineup, opting for a 4-3-3 formation. Captain Michaela Foster and Mackenzie Barry rejoined Wellington’s defensive line with Tiana Jaber and Michaela Robertson dropping to the bench. Macey Fraser also joined the midfield in place of the teenager, Daisy Brazendale.
The Victory started strong with Emily Gielnik asking early questions of the Phoenix defence. The final ball was lacking though and no meaningful chance was developed in the beginning of the game. Victory however was firmly on top in terms of possession and territory.
The first meaningful chance went the way of Wellington as a misjudged pass back set Emma Main in at goal. The Victory defence recovered well to force Main wide and Courtney Newbon was able to collect without any fuss.
On the other end, a ball was played over to the right side of the field with Gielnik finding a great amount of space and time outside the box. Gielnik delivered the ball toward the six yard box and the forward running Goad was able to convert a header for her first goal of the season. Melbourne took an early lead after 10 minutes.
Eight minutes later, after a decent period of play for the Phoenix, Melbourne worked their way forward to win another corner. Beattie Goad sent in a terrific in-swinging cross which deflected across to Tori Hanson who was able to convert from about two yards at the back post.
Through the first 25 minutes of the game, the only Phoenix player that was able to make runs behind the Victory Defence was Emma Main. Main showed a high work rate, chasing both full backs and applying pressure but Kayla Ann Morrison and Jamilla Rankin’s composure at the back and on the ball meant the winger was unable to create anything more than the early half-chance.
At 25 minutes, Paige Zois struck a long-range effort after being played the ball across from Alex Chidiac. A well-struck effort forced a dive out of Rylee Foster but she was able to hold on well.
A minute later, Gielnik went forward after a defensive miscommunication for the Phoenix and cut her way inside from the byline. The tight angle proved too difficult for Gielnik to hit the target but the forward proved why she’s one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league.
Rachel Lowe played the ball forward at 33 minutes which found its way to the woman of the moment, Emily Gielnik. Gielnik rushed forward and found herself with a goalscoring opportunity on the right side of the box which was saved at the neat post by Foster.
The resulting corner saw Chidiac send in a cross to the near post which Gielnik headed on to Beattie Goad who converted at the far post. A brace for the returning midfielder as the Victory were in full control of the first half.
Near the end of the first half, Main and McMeekin worked their way forward to make an awkward goal front encounter for Newbon. The chance ultimately resulted in the goal kick but the Phoenix were still willing to move forward and create chances despite the heavy deficit.
In the 45th minute, Chidiac found some space outside the box and took a shot from outside the box. The left foot of Chidiac proved true and a touch fortunate as the ball thundered off the bar and into the back of Rylee Foster on its way to the goal which made it 4-0 before the half-time whistle.
The always energetic Isobel Cox put a shot over the bar as a sensational first half for the Victory came to a close. While thoroughly on top, the Phoenix did show some promise with the work-rate of Main and McMeekin creating some chances and Mackenzie Barry stepping in to make three key challenges in the defensive third.
Wellington’s second-half started well with Alyssa Whinham forcing a great save out of Newbon at 48 minutes. The forward was unlucky not to pull one back from her effort as the keeper was able to keep her clean sheet bid alive in the second-half.
Wellington created a few chances in the second-half, consistently pressing the Victory defence and goalkeeper. This eventually paid off as a corner swung in by the Phoenix was deflected off Rankin for an own goal. While the deficit was still three goals, the Phoenix were determined to keep playing through to the final whistle.
Gielnik and the Victory nearly restored the huge lead a moment later, with a shot inside the box being well held by Rylee Foster. Just after the hour mark, Whinham took a shot from outside the box which was directed wide, but the possession and territory for the Phoenix had been a lot better since coming out at the half.
Rachel Lowe did restore the four goal lead after a dangerous Emma Checker cross found its way to the in-form Goad. Goad’s shot was deflected but fell fortuitously to Rachel Lowe who converted the chance to make the scoreline a remarkable 5-1.
Isobel Cox worked her way inside from the left wing in the 66th minute and a deflected effort almost found its way over the line if not for the defensive presence and composure by Morrison who was able to clear the ball off the line and clear.
The game became a touch more physical from this point with a few stoppages as both teams looked to employ prevention tactics defensively. The ball was up and down the field a lot more in this half due to the strong response from the Phoenix but the Victory ultimately had too much quality to be denied.
Toward the end of the game, substitutes Helena Errington and Michaela Robertson both forced great saves out of Newbon as the Phoenix looked to forge back a more respectable score to close out the match. The resulting corner ultimately ended up at the feet of Robertson who was able to convert off the crossbar and allow Wellington their second goal.
Wellington’s tenacity persisted as they won the ball off the resulting kick off and Whinham was able to play in Marianna Speckmaeir who scored a terrific curved effort to make the score 5-3.
A nervy four minutes of stoppage time was seen through by the Victory who had a closer finish than they expected but their attacking potency was enough to see them get past a defiant Phoenix side.
Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Checker, Hansen, Morrison, Rankin, Zois, Chidiac, D’Appolonia, Goad, Lowe, Gielnik. Substitutes: Candy, Briedis, Okino, Curtis, Privitelli
Scorers: Goad 10′, 45′, Hansen 17′, R Foster (og) 45′, Lowe 64′.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): R Foster, Davidson, Barry, Lake, M Foster, McMeeken, Cox, Fraser, Breslin, Main, Whinham. Substitutes: Edwards, Errington, Jaber, Robertson, Speckmaier
Scorers: Rankin (og) 57′.
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Attendance: TBC
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