Melbourne City 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
By Isabelle Campbell 28/12/2024
Above: Laura Hughes scores the winner for Melbourne City. Photo: Adrian Geremia for Impetus.
Melbourne City, the current frontrunners in the Ninja A-League, extended their impressive start to the season with a second-half comeback in their meeting with Wellington Phoenix at ctrl:cyber Pitch this afternoon.
City came out on top the last time these two sides met, winning 3-1. Mariana Speckmaier scored Phoenix’s only goal that day, but after switching teams, she’s now leading City’s attack with four goals to her name already this season.
The game started with plenty of energy, and it didn’t take long for things to heat up. Wellington’s Alivia Kelly was shown a yellow card in just the 11th minute after bringing down Lourdes Bosch. City were awarded a free kick, however it didn’t lead to much for the home side. Moments later, Bosch was charging towards goal, only to be called offside.
City continued to press and earned themselves another free kick, this time looking much more dangerous. TJ Vlajnic whipped the ball into the box, picking out Bryleeh Henry, whose shot went just wide. It was déjà vu shortly after when City won another free kick from essentially the same spot. Once again, Vlajnic sent it in for Henry, who narrowly missed the target.
The game remained physical as Wellington kept giving away fouls. Phoenix didn’t create much early on, but right before halftime, Alyssa Whinham finally tested Melbourne goalkeeper Malena Mieres with a shot that was comfortably saved. That seemed to spark something in Phoenix, and just a minute later, Olivia Fergusson unleashed a rocket to score her first career goal, giving the visitors a surprise 1-0 lead.
The second half began with another strong attempt from Whinham, who fired a shot from outside the box that looked destined for goal. However, Mieres made a smart save, keeping the game level. The match then entered a quiet period, with neither side creating any real threats on goal.
It wasn’t until the 67th minute that things began to shift gears. Vlajnic sent a ball flying into the box, heading for goal in its own right, but it ultimately went down as an own goal for Wellington’s Alivia Kelly, putting city back in the game. The level scoreline didn’t last long as just two minutes later, City found themselves on top. Laura Hughes met a cross from Vlajnic and powered a header past the goalkeeper, scoring her third goal of the season and making it 2-1.
Vlajnic was later substituted off after picking up an injury, with Karly Roestbakken replacing her. Phoenix pressed forward in search of an equalizer, and in the final minutes of the game, Emma Main took a shot toward goal, but Mieres was quick to react and tipped it over the bar.
Despite five minutes of added time, Wellington couldn’t find themselves another goal, and the match ended 2-1 in favor of the home side. City’s win extended their unbeaten streak, while Phoenix were left to reflect on a valiant effort that fell just short.
Next up, Melbourne City will travel to take on Central Coast Mariners and look to extend their winning run, while Wellington Phoenix will return home to host Perth Glory.
Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Vlajnic, Davidson, Hughes, McKenna, Bosch, Henry, Harvey. Substitutes: Barbieri, McNamara, Pollicina, Roestbakken, Speckmaier.
Goals: Kelly (OG) 67’, Hughes 69’.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-1-4-1): Vilão, Jaber, Barry, Kelly, McCutcheon, Jale, Fergusson, Whinham, Brazendale, Longo, Wall. Substitutes: Danieli, McMeeken, Elliott, Tanaka, Main.
Goals: Fergusson 37’.
Referee: Kelly Jones.
Attendance: 421.
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