Nix concede late to draw with Roar
WELLINGTON Phoenix have blown a chance to claim their second win of the A-League Women season after conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 with Brisbane Roar.
A win at Sky Stadium in Wellington yesterday would have moved the last-placed Phoenix within striking distance of Newcastle Jets and set up a potential wooden spoon showdown on March 25.
But the Phoenix couldn’t hold onto their lead, with Shea Connors racing onto a ball over the top from Ayesha Norrie to draw the Roar level in the 80th minute.
The goal was a sucker punch for the Phoenix, who are desperate to get off the bottom of the table but look destined to finish with the wooden spoon for the second year running. They remain four points behind the Jets with just five games left.
The Phoenix took an early lead when centre-back Marisa van der Meer rose highest to meet Michaela Foster’s free-kick from deep in the 26th minute.
But they were left to rue some wasteful finishing after putting up 20 shots across the 90
minutes.
After hitting the front, they had numerous chances to extend their lead.
Milly Clegg cut inside and forced a strong save out of Hensley Hancuff before halftime. In the second spell, Betsy Hassett fired wide of the target after a mazing run from Michaela Robertson.
Grace Wisnewski went close with an ambitious attempt from the edge of the penalty area after Clegg won the race to a through ball from Chloe Knott.
Substitute Paige Satchell had a shot batted clear by Hancuff at the near post.
The Phoenix bench was irate when Roar captain Norrie’s push into the head of a prone Hassett only merited a yellow card in the eyes of referee AnnaMarie Keighley.
Norrie went on to set up the Roar’s equaliser, delivering the pass over the top of the Phoenix defence.