Wellington Phoenix Women Held to Draw by Newcastle Jets in A-League

The Wellington Phoenix Women were held to a 1-1 draw against the Newcastle Jets in their latest A-League Women match at Porirua Park on March 10, 2024. The game featured a controversial penalty decision that left Phoenix captain CJ Bott questioning its legitimacy.

Brooke Nunn opened the scoring for the Phoenix just three minutes into the match, capitalizing on a superb assist from the promising 17-year-old Pia Vlok. Nunn’s early goal gave the home side an optimistic start. However, the Jets equalized in the 23rd minute through a penalty converted by Melina Ayres, following a tangle between Wellington centreback Mackenzie Barry and Jets forward Lauren Allan. Referee Anna-Marie Keighley pointed to the spot, a decision Bott described as “a bit questionable” during her post-match interview with Sky Sport.

While Bott expressed disappointment over the penalty, she also lamented the team’s inability to convert further chances. “We created enough to win the game, and those chances have to go in,” said Wellington coach Ben Priestman. The draw marked the second consecutive 1-1 result for the Phoenix, who remain unbeaten but are still awaiting their first win under Priestman’s management.

Vlok’s performance was a standout, earning praise from Priestman. The young player, who made her A-League debut off the bench against Canberra, showcased her talent with an ambitious long-range effort and a well-placed pass that set up Nunn’s goal.

Despite the draw, the Phoenix’s struggles were compounded by the pre-match absence of Nepalese striker Sabitra Bhandari and a second-half injury to Alyssa Whinham, who left the pitch in visible discomfort.

The Jets, managed by Stephen Hoyle, could take satisfaction from the result, especially as they brought back four New Zealand players, including goalkeeper Anna Leat, who made critical saves to maintain the draw. Hoyle, returning to New Zealand where he played in the national league, managed to secure a point for his team to complement their earlier victory in the season.

The match featured several missed opportunities for the Phoenix, including a blocked shot from Grace Jale and a narrow miss from Whinham, who managed to round Leat but was unable to score. Nunn, who has transitioned from the Central Coast Mariners and has experience across international leagues, nearly scored her second goal after the break but was thwarted by Leat once again.

With this draw, the Wellington Phoenix now have two wins, one draw, and five losses against the Newcastle Jets in their past eight encounters since 2021. As the team looks to improve their scoring efficiency, the upcoming matches will be crucial in their quest for a first win under Priestman’s guidance.