Melbourne crash Phoenix’s party
Melbourne City crashed Wellington Phoenix’s homecoming party with a comprehensive 4-1 win in the first A-league Women match to be played on New Zealand soil.
The first round match was played before a record of 5213 fans – the largest attendance for a standalone regular season game.
But the home side was unable to rise to the occasion against one of the strongest teams in the league, soundly beaten after shipping four second-half goals thanks to a masterclass from City striker Maria Jose Rojas.
The Phoenix pulled one back when Ava Pritchard, the scorer of their first A-league Women goal last season, forced an own goal in the 81st minute.
Pritchard rifled the ball through a crowd of bodies after pouncing on the loose ball at a corner-kick, and the final touch came off City’s Kaitlin Torpey.
But the damage was already done by then.
After a goalless first half, City took full control of the match when they struck twice inside the first five minutes of the second half.
City broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Rojas teed up Bryleeh Henry at the back post after dribbling around Phoenix captain Kate Taylor.
The late injury replacement for Football Ferns striker Hannah Wilkinson scored the second herself two minutes later, cutting inside and tucking the ball in at the near post after again getting the better of Taylor in a one-on-one situation.
City’s third came from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. Captain Rhianna Pollicina converted the spot-kick after Rojas was bundled over by Zoe Mcmeeken in the area.
Brianna Edwards guessed the right way and got a glove to it but could not keep the ball out.
Pollicina put the game beyond doubt when she slotted her second and City’s fourth four minutes later, curling a wonderful shot past an outstretched Edwards.
The Phoenix’s late goal gave the crowd something to smile about, but Natalie Lawrence’s side was well beaten.