Melbourne Victory were held to a draw by Wellington Phoenix in the Ninja A-League on Friday night.
Rhianna Pollicina’s precision penalty in the 55th minute had the Girls in Blue ahead, only for the visitors to come on strong during the closing stages and equalise through Makala Woods.
Team News
Jeff Hopkins stuck with the same starting XI and bench that picked up a point against Melbourne City in Bundoora last Sunday.
The unchanged team meant Taylor Ray started on the occasion of her 100th A-League Women’s appearance.
Match Action
Victory made most of the early running, and top scorer Kennedy White was posing a real threat in behind the Nix’s backline, with it taking two last-ditch interventions to keep her from landing a telling blow.
Then, when Laura Pickett got forward, cut inside and was cythed down by Grace Jale, the referee surprisingly waved play on whilst the full back was left crestfallen on the deck.
Wellington’s first chance, midway through the half, was well hit by Woods, but whizzed well wide. Next time they threatened, it took a full-stretch, low dive from Courtney Newbon to push away Brooke Nunn’s shot.
The game was beginning to open up, and Victory had their clearest opening so far when Holly Furphy looped in a right-sided cross. Sofia Sakalis touched this square at the far post, but White could not connect effectively to convert.
From a similar pattern of play, albeit at a corner, the visitors had the opening 45’s final chance. Thankfully, Newbon was alert enough to smother Nunn at close quarters.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Wellington Phoenix
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Hopkins’ side would be in front. Rachel Lowe released Sakalis over the halfway line, and she accelerated into the box, where she was bundled over illegally by Jale. Pollicina assumed spot-kick duties and lasered the ball into the top corner.
Wellington would push for an equaliser, and somehow no white shirt was able to apply the finishing touch to Manaia Elliott’s wicked drive across the face of the goal with a quarter of an hour left to play.
Refreshed by the introductions of Alana Jancevski and Rosie Curtis, the hosts set about extending their advantage. White let fly with a half volley, and it took a solid stop from Victoria Esson to keep it out.
Unfortunately, growing Phoenix pressure would tell in the closing stages. Woods, latching onto Vlok’s attempted strike, efficiently picked out the bottom corner, finishing across Newbon’s dive.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 1 (POLLICINA 52′)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (WOODS 87′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT (27. Rosie CURTIS 82′), 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Taylor RAY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS (66. Alana JANCEVSKI 81′), 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 90+1′), 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 30: Payton WOODWARD (GK), 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 81. Grace MAHER.
Booking: None.
Wellington Phoenix starting XI: 1. Victoria ESSON (GK), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER (C), 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 14. Lucia LEON (27. Zoe BENSON 82′), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 89′), 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG (30. Mackenzie ANTHONY 59′).
Substitutes not used: 22. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI (GK), 3. Tiana JABER, 20. Emma MAIN.
Booking: None.
Coming Soon
With the ALW season breaking for the Women’s Asian Cup, Victory are back in action next month, welcoming Western Sydney Wanderers to The Home of The Matildas.
