Wellington Phoenix secured just their second Liberty A-League win and remain in the mix to avoid the wooden spoon in the side’s debut season after edging Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2.
On a sodden Sydney evening, the Phoenix deserved full points despite the Wanderers having ample opportunities late in Tuesday’s clash.
Rescheduled from Sunday and then moved from CommBank Stadium to Wanderers Football Park, the Phoenix could be forgiven for failing to take flight early in the match.
The home side had no such issues, however, as midfielder Ashlie Crofts had them on the board after just two minutes.
Captain Erica Halloway’s pinpoint cross from the right flank left Crofts with an easy glancing header, the Phoenix failing to mark up sufficiently on the lone target.
Despite the heavy field, the match entertained with frequent end-to-end forays, Libby Copus-Brown troubling the Phoenix with her drive through the centre of the park while the visitors were well served out wide by Ava Pritchard.
The Phoenix’s industry paid off in the 37th minute, shortly after Halloway gave away a foul.
The free-kick came up short but on the subsequent play defender Isabel Gomez dinked a ball over some sleepy opposition to leave Kate Taylor one-on-one with ‘keeper Sarah Willacy.
She finished off with the simplest of touches to ensure the Phoenix were level at the break.
Forward Pritchard capitalised on a premature move by Willacy in the 74th minute before crunching the ball on the diagonal to hand the Phoenix a rare lead.
It led to a helter-skelter finish with Halloway and Danika Matos spurning good opportunities for the Wanderers before Grace Jale’s finish after a goal-line scramble appeared to put the game beyond doubt in time added on.
There was still enough time for Copus-Brown to pull one back but her effort proved the last kick of the game.
The Phoenix (seven points) are now level with the Wanderers but sit behind the Sydneysiders on goal difference in 10th.
Phoenix coach Gemma Lewis said her side was getting used to the chopping and changing of the competition and they had warmed to the task after a slow start.
“We probably conceded the goal because we were pushing for another for goal difference,” she said.
“But it just shows how hungry the girls are to get off the bottom of the table.”
The Phoenix play Perth on Friday while the Wanderers meet Melbourne City on Saturday to close out the regular season.
RE-LIVE: Wanderers v Wellington, as it happened
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
GOALS! Wanderers and ‘Nix exchange late goals at the death (8.30pm AEDT)
Grace Jale capitalised on an under-hit pass from Alexia Apostolakis aimed toward Wanderers keeper Langman to tuck Wellington’s third goal of the game away – and it proved important in the end as Libby Copus-Brown found a late goal for the home side.
The two goals in quick succession made it 3-2 to Wellington deep into second-half stoppage time – and that’s how the score remained as the final whistle blew.
It’s the second win of the season by the ‘Nix earned in the NSW wet after the home side took a 1-0 lead in the first half. Wellington are now level on points with the Wanderers and with one game to play this season could jump off the foot of the table depending on how both teams fare in their final games of the season.
GOAL! From 1-0 down to 2-1 up, the ‘Nix soar through Pritchard (8.07pm AEDT)
Wellington are on the cusp of a magnificent comeback result, getting on top of the Wanderers and taking the lead through Ava Pritchard.
The ‘Nix forward latched on to a through ball played off the right flank, and on the slide lifted the ball over Langman to find the back of the net.
It’s 2-1 to Wellington with under 20 minutes to play in the second half.
Halloway gets across to deny Jale (8.00pm AEDT)
That was brilliant defensive work from Erica Halloway, who forced her way into the path of Grace Jale as she prepared to strike on goal from cose range on a tight angle.
Half an hour to play with nothing to split the sides (7.57pm AEDT)
There’s just under 30 minutes left for either side to gun for maximum points at Wanderers Football Park.
Chances have been few and far between in the second half with neither side able to break the deadlock.
HALF-TIME: WANDERERS 1-1 WELLINGTON (7.25PM AEDT)
It’s all square at the break after Taylor’s close-range finish cancelled out Crofts’ opener at Wanderers Football Park.
GOAL! Taylor’s maiden ALW strike brings Phoenix level (7.14pm AEDT)
A goal just before the break from central defender Kate Taylor levels the scores at 1-1.
Isabel Gomez provided the assist with a dinked pass from midfield and Taylor – who made her way up front for a ‘Nix free-kick – was on hand to score from close range.
CHANCE! Whinham lashes one wide from distance (7.03pm AEDT)
That would have been some finish by Alyssa Whinham. Her first-time strike from outside the box called Sarah Langman into a desperate dive to her left as the ball squirmed past the post.
Knott bright down the right but Jale can’t meet the cross (6.55pm AEDT)
Chloe Knott looked to spark the visitors into action with a marauding run down the right flank, leaping over a challenger before whipping a cross toward Grace Jale at the back post. The imposing Wellington forward rose to meet the ball but couldn’t get her head to the dangerous delivery.
GOAL! Crofts heads home to put hosts ahead early (6.39pm AEDT)
What a start by the hosts and Ashlie Crofts!
Rising to meet a cross from the right flank, Crofts flicked on her header toward goal from close range, watching the ball fly past Alfeld into the back of the net.
It’s 1-0 early doors with Western Sydney making a dream start.
KICK-OFF: Wanderers and Phoenix engage in battle (6.35pm AEDT)
We’re underway at Wanderers Football Park with the home side kicking off, looking to condemn the visitors to the wooden spoon with a win tonight.
PRE-MATCH
The Wanderers and ‘Nix will face off at Wanderers Football Park tonight after the late call to relocate this Liberty A-League fixture from CommBank Stadium.
Initially a behind-closed-doors game, fans will now be allowed to attend at Wanderers Park, with the APL determined to honour its commitment to get the Phoenix home to New Zealand by the date promised.
But, due to the late change of venue, this matchup will not be broadcast on Paramount+. So, follow along with KEEPUP as the LIVE feed brings you the best of the action from this Liberty A-League clash.
TEAM NEWS
Wellington captain Lily Alfeld returns from international duty to captain the ‘Nix tonight. A win would take Wellington level with Western Sydney on points, with one game to play to decide which team lurking near the bottom takes out the wooden spoon.
