Melbourne City are inching closer to sealing a second-consecutive Premiership title after defeating Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at Porirua Park to make it 21 games unbeaten in the Ninja A-League.
After easing their way into the contest City eventually began to take control and found the breakthrough in the 35th minute; striker Holly McNamara bagging her 12th goal of the season with a well-taken volley from inside the box.
McNamara had the chance to double her’s and City’s tally at Porirua Park but saw her penalty kick saved in the 55th minute by Phoenix keeper Carolina Vilao.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
City had several chances to put the game to bed against a lacklustre Phoenix side but 1-0 would prove to be enough.
The result ensures Michael Matricciani’s side made it three wins in the space of seven days having progressed through to the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Champions League and beaten Brisbane Roar in midweek.
The win means City now sit five points clear at the top of the Ninja A-League and know that a win over Newcastle Jets in their home clash next time out could well be the result that seals a second-straight Premiership.
As for Wellington, the home side’ hopes of playing finals football now look incredibly slim after suffering a fifth loss in six matches which leaves them four points outside the top six with two games left to play.
The home side fashioned the first chance of the game in just the fifth minute but English forward Fergusson powered her header wide of the near post after connecting with Main’s whipped ball into the box.
City started slowly but began to establish a foothold in the game; Leah Davidson spurning a glorious chance on the edge of the box after Wellington had coughed up possession inside their own half in the 21st minute.
The visitors finally made the breakthrough in the 35th minute though and it came from the boot of golden girl McNamara.
Dancing her way into the Phoenix box, Lourdes Bosch sent a driven cross into the middle of the area and to the feet of McNamara and the Matildas forward did the rest, steering her side-footed volley into the far corner to make it 1-0.
McNamara will then feel as though she should have had 13 goals for the season less than a minute later however she dragged her shot wide of the upright after a Phoenix mistake saw her baring down on goal.
The home side were inches away from drawing level on the stroke of half-time but just couldn’t turn the ball home after City goalkeeper Malena Mieres sparked an almighty goalmouth scramble after dropping a routine delivery from a corner.
Looking to pick-up where she left off in the first half, McNamara was causing the Phoenix defence more problems after the break and took a boot to the face for her troubles after beating Wellington’s Lara Wall to the ball.
Following a lengthy spell receiving treatment McNamara was then called into action soon after, this time tasked with dispatching a spotkick in the 55th minute.
After defender Mackenzie Barry was penalised following a bodycheck on City’s Laura Hughes inside the box, McNamara stepped up to dispatch the penalty but was denied by a big left hand from Phoenix keeper Vilao.
Despite their setback from the spot City remained the most-likely to score the game’s second goal and will feel as though they should have put the game to bed in the 59th minute.
Having out-muscled Wall, former Phoenix striker Mariana Speckmaier combined well with her teammates before finding herself one-on-one with Vilao, however the Venezuelan couldn’t supply the finish.
Having been somewhat shot-shy for the entire game, Wellington’s Grace Jale took aim from 25 metres out but her shot sailed harmlessly over the crossbar in the 83rd minute.
Leah Davidson was then inches away from making it 2-0 deep into stoppage time however the midfielder’s powerful effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Vilao in the Phoenix goal.
