Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Wellington Phoenix
By Joe Rosedon (9/1/25)
Above: Alivia Kelly scored her first goal for the club against The Wanderers. Photo: Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix move above Adelaide United in the table to fourth after a comfortable 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Wellington were the first to threaten the goal in the seventh minute. Olivia Fergusson received the ball with her back to goal, turned, and threaded a defence-deceiving pass to an onrushing Mebae Tanaka. Sham Khamis was quick off her line to nick the ball of the feet of the Wellington forward.
The following corner saw the Western Sydney goalkeeper called into action once again, palming away Mackenzie Barry’s powerful header.
Fergusson and Wellington then got even closer to the opening goal. In a reverse of the previous chance, Tanaka turned attempted provider placing a delicate cross into the box for Fergusson who headed against the bar from point-blank range.
The Phoenix attacker then forced another good save from Khamis after her intelligent movement in the penalty area fashioned space to get the shot away. Wellington were firmly on top and deserving of a goal.
Khamis impressive cameo was soon to be over. Following Western Sydney first real forward foray, they were hit on the counter and Fergusson found herself baring down on goal. In a move of desperation, Khamis rushed out of goal and collided with the forward. The Western Sydney goalkeeper gave referee Isabella Mossin no choice but to show a straight red card.
Khamis’ replacement Keely Segavcic, who was making her debut, saved Annalie Longo’s seemingly goal-bound long-range effort, tipping the ball over the crossbar. Somehow Western Sydney made it to halftime without being behind.
Within seconds of the restart, the Nix finally grabbed a thoroughly deserved lead and it was achieved in spectacular fashion. Noticing that Segavic was off her line, Alyssa Whinham launched an audacious effort that looped over the substitute keeper and into the net.
One soon became two for the visitors. Maya McCutcheon fired from distance and the initial attempt was well saved by Segavcic. However, she could only divert the ball into the path of Alivia Kelly who tapped home the rebound from close range and score her first A-League goal.
It was inevitable that Wellington would further increase their lead and they made it three when Grace Jale’s lovely chipped through ball put second-half substitute Emma Main through on goal. Main did the rest, sliding the ball past Segavcic to conclude an excellent performance from Wellington.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-4-2): Khamis, Ferris, Bennett, Harrison, Matos, Chessari, Saveska, Harada, Harding, Rue, Younis. Substitutes: Segavcic, Buchanan, Price, Trew, Kapetanellis.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-1-4-1): Vilão, Jaber, Barry, Kelly, Wall, McCutcheon, Jale, Whinham, Longo, Fergusson, Tanaka. Substitutes: Feinberg-Danieli, McMeeken, Elliot, Brazendale, Main.
Scorers: Whinham 46’, Kelly 59’, Main 83’.
Referee: Isabella Mossin.
Attendance: 425.
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