Wellington Phoenix made a winning return to Porirua Park as they defeated a spirited Sydney FC side 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
It took the home side just six minutes to find the opener against a youthful Sydney side as Brooke Nunn was released down the Phoenix right and squared the ball for the arriving Indiah-Paige Riley to tap home from close range.
Having found the opener Bev Priestman’s side continued to pressure their opponents at Porirua Park and the second goal arrived from the spot as Milly Clegg cooly dispatched the penalty after she was brought down inside the box by Willa Pearson.
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Sydney had a good sight of goal in the 32nd minute when forward Riley Cohn drilled a powerful effort on target that was well saved by stand-in Phoenix keeper Brooke Neary.
The Phoenix had the wind behind them in the first half and it was proving to be a tough afternoon for Sydney keeper Tiahna Robertson as she struggled to get to grips with the conditions.
Momentum completely swung in Sydney’s favour in the second half though as James Slaveski’s side began to use the conditions to their favour, while Wellington were seemingly content to invite pressure.
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The away side pulled one back from a corner in the 77th minute as defender Maddie Caspers ghosted into the box to head home Cohn’s delivery and give her side hope.
However the Phoenix put the game to bed from a set-piece of their own in the 84th minute as towering midfielder Grace Jale bundled the ball home after arriving at the back post to meet a corner kick that sailed over a crowded six-yard box.
With the three points safely secured the home fans were also given another boost, with Nix favourites CJ Bott, Alyssa Whinham and Sabitra ‘Samba’ Bhandari spotted in the crowd, the latter duo currently working their way back to full fitness after injury.
The home side secure their second win of the season in what was their first match of the season at Porirua Park, with the result taking them up to fifth on the Ninja A-League ladder.
As for Sydney FC, the Sky Blues sit seventh on the ladder after their second loss of the campaign.
Next up for Wellington is an away trip to Western Sydney when they take on the Wanderers in Matchweek 6.
As for Sydney FC, the Sky Blues will be out to bounce back when they take on Canberra United on November 21.
