Wellington Phoenix extended Perth Glory’s winless run to nine Liberty A-League games with a 3-1 win at Macedonia Park on Friday night – the away side’s first victory in Australia in more than four months.
Alyssa Whinham was the star of the show for the Phoenix, scoring the opening goal and assisting Michaela Robertson to wrestle back Wellington’s advantage after a Michaela Foster own goal on the cusp of half-time levelled the score.
Macey Fraser put the result beyond doubt with a long-range scorcher with just under 15 minutes to play, leaving in-form Glory keeper Morgan Aquino with no chance of making a save as the ball rocketed into the top-left corner.
Wellington have struggled of late, losing three games on the bounce and seven of their last eight games, but took maximum points on their travels to Perth as Glory’s form slump after a brilliant start to the season continued.
The Phoenix last won in Australia on October 22, 2023 against Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 2.
Whinham put Wellington on top in the first half with a close-range header, meeting Isabel Cox’s delivery to the back post to bag her first goal of the season.
Phoenix keeper Rylee Foster kept Quinley Quezada off the scoresheet as the clock ticked toward half-time with a smart save to her left, denying the Philippines international a finish at her near post.
But just minutes later, Glory would get back to level terms through a Lowry free-kick, diverted over the line in a congested six-yard box by Michaela Foster.
Morgan Aquino has been the busiest goalkeeper in the league this season and the Glory custodian got to work early in the second half to deny Mariana Speckmaier a flicked attempt at the near post after a long throw into the penalty area.
Whinham fired Wellington ahead in the first half and with the score back level 10 minutes after the restart, the Phoenix youngster turned creator with a driving run through midfield and a deft through ball played off the outside of her foot into the path of Robertson to finish a classy goal.
Nursing a one-goal advantage, Phoenix continued to knock at the door but to no avail as Aquino nearly single-handedly kept the hosts in the contest. As long as the score remained at 2-1 Wellington were susceptible to a Glory comeback – but Fraser put that threat to bed with a long-range thunderbolt.
Whinham let her emotions flow after the final whistle, falling to the floor in tears after playing a crucial role in Wellington’s drought-snapping win on the road with a goal and assist in Perth.
In late February, Whinham revealed how a lack of starting opportunities under Phoenix boss Paul Temple this season had led her to “breaking point.”
“I was like: ‘Okay, I either just grind and work through this or I don’t, and just give up,” Whinham said, recalling her frustration at the time of her side’s trip to Auckland to face Perth in November, less than four months ago.
“Thankfully, I chose just to grind,” Whinham continued. “And that has really paid off.”
Three of Whinham’s four starts this season have come in Wellington’s last three games, providing two assists and a goal in her last two appearances.
After Friday night’s win in Perth, Phoenix boss Temple lauded Whinham’s impact of late, suggesting that as the youngster’s confidence continues to build, onlookers are starting to see her full potential.
“I think this is the new Alyssa Whinham,” Temple said.
“She’s always been technically good, dribbles and has the ball close to her feet. But what she’s added this season is mentality, hunger, desire and strength, physicality.
“She’s making tackles, she’s getting back, mobility-wise she’s been able to get up and down much better.
“I think this is a new and better version of her, and the confidence is starting to flow now… she’s got all the ability and she’s now starting to add the other elements you need to be a top professional.
“She’s still only 20, it’s exciting. “
