Source: Radio New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix Brooke Nunn during the A-League Women Marty Melville/ Photosport
The Wellington Phoenix women have surged up to the second spot on the A-League ladder with a 3-1 victory over Adelaide United in Porirua.
Two goals in three minutes gave the home side a 2-0 lead at half-time and the momentum to halt Adelaide’s five game unbeaten run.
A tumbling Makala Woods scored the first of the Phoenix’s goals in the 15th minute, against the run of play, when she managed to get the ball over the goal line despite losing her footing.
Woods then turned provider when she controlled a ball from a throw in at the top of the box and passed to Brooke Nunn who scored past an advancing Adelaide goalkeeper to double the lead in the 18th minute.
Nunn scored her second goal of the game with less than 10 minutes to play when she shot from outside the top of the box and into the top corner of the net.
Adelaide scored a conciliation goal in the 87th minute to substitute Isabel Hodgson.
New Phoenix signing, American striker Mackenzie Anthony, had her work visas approved in time to make her debut off the bench, replacing a cramping Woods in the 78th minute.
Her inclusion was a boost for the Phoenix who the day before the game were uncertain if she would be cleared to play.
The win was also Mania Elliott’s 50th game for Phoenix. She came off the bench in the 55th minute to mark the milestone.
The Phoenix began the game in ninth on the points table and with the best defence in the competition, their goal difference has then allowed them to secure second place behind Melbourne City.
The Phoenix now have five wins, three draws and three losses ahead of their next game against the Newcastle Jets on 1 February.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
