Wellington Phoenix have put Brisbane Roar to the sword at Hnry Stadium, running out 3-0 winners in a dominant performance.
The fast starting Phoenix went 2-0 up inside 16 minutes with goals from Manaia Elliott and Emma Pijnenburg before Makala Woods made sealed the win with a goal in the second half.
Wellington threatened a number of times in the first 10 minutes; first through Grace Jale then through Woods, but it was Elliott getting her head to Brooke Nunn’s cross from the right that gave them the lead.
The Phoenix only needed five more minutes to score their second, Pijnenburg pouncing on a corner that Brisbane couldn’t clear and floating it over Tahlia Franco in goal.
Brisbane steadied as the half wore on and created a strong chance to pull one back before the interval, however they were denied by a big double save from Phoenix keeper Victoria Esson.
Woods had a gilt edged chance to make it 3-0 approaching first half stoppage time, but she turned Lucia Leon’s cutback wide of the open goal.
Wellington welcomed back Macey Fraser at half time, the Silver Fern seeing the pitch for the first time since taking a mental health break after re-joining the Phoenix from Utah Royals.
Woods finally got her goal after 70 minutes, finishing from close range after the ball from the corner fell at her feet to score her fifth goal of the year.
Esson again stood up big time in goal to keep the score at 3-0, denying Daisy Brown with an extremely acrobatic diving effort and then punching clear the subsequent corner.
Wellington Phoenix now move up to third place on the table ahead of their trip across to play Sydney FC next weekend, while Brisbane will head down to Newcastle to take on the Jets on Friday.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Wellington goal: Elliott 10′
Wellington goal: Pijnenburg 16′
Wellington goal: Woods 72′
Wellington save: Esson 84′
