Adelaide United 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
by Alice De Koster-Kitto (12/1/25)
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Mackenzie Barry (yellow shirt) tries to hold off the challenge of Emily Condon in a fight for possession today. Photo: Adelaide United
Adelaide United have continued their winning streak in a 2-1 victory against Wellington Phoenix at Marden Sports Complex. The win marks The Nix’s second loss of the season matches, knocking them down to fifth on the ladder, while Adelaide takes their fourth place ranking.
The match opened with quite a congested press, with most of the action happening close in the middle of the park, and neither side allowing the other the space to create any real opportunities.
Although possession started out fairly even, and remained so through the match, an attempt from Annalie Longo gave the visitors a slight upper hand early on, as Wellington seemed to be able to seize the few opportunities they had, and they entered the match with clear intent.
With both teams being in excellent form, the match proved to be very unpredictable, and a few small changes in possession made the meeting anyone’s game.
Neither keeper was given any real opportunity to become involved, although a few excellent saves from Carolina Vialo, kept Phoenix from conceding when Adelaide began to assert themselves in the attacking end.
Annalie Longo remained a crucial part of Wellington’s strategy throughout the match, involving herself in almost all chances and attempts, which kept the visitors in the game, despite high pressure from the Reds.
The deadlock was broken by Emily Condon, in the 41st minute, putting Adelaide United in the lead with a cross from a distance hitting the back of the net.
The hosts’ dominance was extended three minutes later, with a close-range goal from Chelsie Dawber making for an intense end to the first half.
The second half did not see much change in the style of play, as Adelaide continued to build from the back, while Wellington moved seamlessly as a unit, preventing each other from furthering the scoring or building the momentum.
In an intense twist, a cross from Alyssa Whinam, ended in an own goal when Adelaide’s Lucia Leon, tapped the ball into the net, in an attempt to defend from inside the box to give Wellington hope of a comeback.
During seven minutes of stoppage time, Wellington expanded past their defensive tactics, adding some late drama to the match, as they created more quick chances, and an equalizer seemed to become quite possible, but it just wouldn’t come.
Wellington Phoenix will head home to Porirua Park to take on Newcastle Jets. Adelaide United now face a huge top four battle when they take on Brisbane Roar at Perry Park.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Jenkins, E.Hodgson, Leon, Tolland, Tonkin, McNamara, Morgan Dewey, Condon, Dawber, Worts. Substitutes: Grove, Middleton, Karambasis, Bowler, Pangaris.
Scorers: Condon 41’, Dawber 44’.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-2): Vialo, Jaber, Barry, Kelly, McCutcheon, Jale, Fergusson, Elliott, Brazendale, Longo, Wall. Substitutes: Danieli, MacMeeken, Whinham Tanaka, Main.
Scorers: Leon (OG) 60′.
Referee: Beth Rattray
Attendance: 748.
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