Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Melbourne City
by Emma Burke (10/1/26)
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Grace Jale (7) wins a header under heavy pressure with teammate Mackenzie Barry and Melbourne City’s Aideen Keane (black shirt) also competing. Photo: Ryan Imray for Impetus
A goal on debut for American Makala Woods, who recently joined Wellington Phoenix as an injury replacement wasn’t enough for the home side to comeback against Melbourne City, losing the game 2-1 at Porirua Park.
It was the visitors who found the back of the net first in the 16th minute through Leticia McKenna, who expertly finished a cutback pass from Danella Butrus, sending the ball into the top right corner.
Minutes later City would double their lead after Butrus’ angled shot on goal was deflected by Nix keeper Victoria Esson right into the path of Aideen Keane, who only needed to tap the ball over the line.
A dominant first half for Melbourne City truly highlighted the impact that star signing Samba has had on Wellington, with this being their first game played without the Nepalese striker, who was confirmed to have injured her ACL last round against Brisbane Roar.
City’s quality opening half was only marred by an injury to midfielder Leah Davidson that caused her to leave the game and was replaced by Karly Roestbakken.
The second half saw the Phoenix start to work themselves back into the game, helped by the introduction of Woods, who gave the side a focal point for their crosses into the box.
Woods’ goal, a header that was the end product of a perfectly placed cross from Brooke Nunn, did make the six minutes added on frantic for both teams.
Despite this, the cool heads of Melbourne City prevailed, who now move up to the top of the table, and continue their streak of having never lost to the Phoenix since their inclusion in the A-League Women competition.
For Ryan Imray’s full photo gallery from the match for Impetus, head to our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball.
Teams WELLINGTON PHOENIX (3-4-1-2): Esson, Walker, Barry, Van de Meer, Nunn, Brazendale, Jale, Wall, Leon, Main, Vlok. Substitutes: Danieli, Elliot, Pijnenburg, Benson, Woods, Bartlett.
Scorers: Woods 90’.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Turner, Keane, Davidson, McKenna, Butrus, Uchendu, McNamara. Substitutes: Barbieri, Roestbakken, Henry, Wilson, Jackson, Jugovic.
Scorers: McKenna 16’, Keane 21’.
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.
Attendance: 1,301.
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