Melbourne City have taken themselves to the top of the Ninja A-League with a win over Wellington at Porirua Park, but the Phoenix didn’t make it easy for them.
Melbourne City opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Danella Butrus’s cut back from the left found Leticia McKenna on the edge of the area. While Wellington goalkeeper Victoria Esson was able to get a hand to it, there was no stopping McKenna’s powerful finish.
Butrus was heavily involved in City’s second goal as well, her shot saved by the boot of Esson, only for Aideen Keane to tap the rebound into an empty goal.
Wellington steadied defensively to keep City out for the rest of the half, the score at half time was 2-0.
The Phoenix had much more possession in the second half and looked more threatening with it, Emma Main and Pia Vlok both having clear shots on goal well saved by Spanish keeper Malena Mieres.
Wellington eventually got their breakthrough goal in the 90th minute when half time substitute Makala Woods headed home Brooke Nunn’s early cross for her first Ninja A-League goal.
City defended their way through the stoppage time onslaught of corners and deep crosses to earn the win and take themselves to the top of the table.
