A spirited Melbourne Victory split the points with Wellington Phoenix in their Sunday morning Ninja A-League clash.
The Matchweek 2 encounter at Hnry Stadium promised to deliver a second win in as many matches to start the 2026/27 season after Holly Furphy’s 40th-minute goal, but Makala Woods’ second-half effort forced Jeff Hopkins’ team to a draw.
Victory play at home for the first time in 2026/27 next weekend, with an A-League Men’s and Women’s double-header against Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, November 1, at AAMI Park. Tickets for Kids Round, when kids go free, can be purchased by clicking here.
Team news
It was an unchanged starting XI from the win at Western Sydney Wanderers for the trip to New Zealand, with the only change to the match day squad being an addition, as Nicki Flannery was among the available substitutes.
Match action
The contest’s first chance came in the 10th minute of play, but Wellington wasted it, with Manaia Elliott ballooning the ball behind. That opportunity developed down the right-hand side, and from the same flank they threatened again just moments later, with Courtney Newbon called into action on this occasion, pushing away Brooke Nunn’s fizzing cross.
Battling against both the wind and their hosts during the opening 45, Victory had to dig in and show some grit. Alicia Woods suffered a head blow blocking a thumped Tameka Yallop free kick, and when play resumed from a drop ball, Grace Jale kept Newbon honest from distance.
Refusing to give in to the elements, Hopkins’ side found a way to make inroads, and Football Fern Claudia Bunge, meeting an Alana Jančevski free kick at the far post, headed wide.
Plans then had to be changed, as midfielder Woods, likely suffering for her earlier intervention, was withdrawn and replaced by Skye Leach.
This substitute did not, however, stunt the momentum that the visitors had been quietly building, and they went ahead just a minute later. Sophie Harding’s right-sided cross was fumbled in the air by Victoria Esson, allowing Furphy to control promptly and force the ball home from close range.
Half-time: Wellington Phoenix 0-1 Melbourne Victory
Newbon was called into action on the hour mark, reacting sharply to Indiah-Paige Riley and Elliott combining by racing off her goalline to stop Yallop from striking at close range.
However, the goalkeeper could do very little to prevent the equaliser that followed. Nunn showed her speed in the wide areas and picked out Woods, who fired home through a cluster of bodies.
Not pleased at being pegged back, Hopkins introduced Ella O’Grady for Harding, and the substitute turned her marker to shoot and force a corner. From this set piece, Bunge was just eased out from netting in her homeland.
Doubling down on his attacking intentions, the Head Coach introduced Flannery for her first minutes of the campaign and handed a debut to Jasmine Millar.
Concern quickly shifted to the other end, though, where Pia Vlok found the net, only for this worry to subside thanks to the assistant referee’s flag. Although Victory heart rates rose again at the death when, fresh off the bench, Emma Taylor-Main headed against the post.
Match details
Wellington Phoenix 1 (WOODS 63′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (FURPHY 40′)
Wellington Phoenix starting XI: 1. Victoria ESSON (GK), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG (C), 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Tameka YALLOP (20. Emma TAYLOR-MAIN 90+3′), 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY, 23. Brooke NUNN (25. Alyssha EGLINTON 77′), 24. Pia VLOK, 31. Makala WOODS.
Substitutes not used: 22. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI (GK), 3. Lara WALL, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Sienna CANDY, 26. Lily BRAZENDALE.
Booking: None.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 16. Anna SUTTER, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 13. Angie BEARD, 14. Alicia WOODS (2. Skye LEACH 39′), 9. Holly FURPHY (11. Nicki FLANNERY 86′), 10. Sienna SAVESKA (21. Jasmine MILLAR 86′), 66. Alana JANČEVSKI (28. Sienna TECHERA 75′), 8. Sophie HARDING (7. Ella O’GRADY 70′).
Substitutes not used: 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT.
Booking: None.
