Rebekah Stott’s Late Goal Ends Phoenix Women’s Unbeaten Run

In a gripping encounter at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne, the Wellington Phoenix women faced their first defeat of the A-League Women season, losing 1-0 to Melbourne City. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Rebekah Stott, a notable omission from the recent Football Ferns squad, scored with a header from a free-kick, marking Melbourne City’s only shot on target throughout the match.

The match began with a tense first half, ending in a stalemate as neither team managed to find the net. The Phoenix, eager to build on their previous victory, dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities. They came closest to scoring just before halftime when Brooke Nunn‘s shot hit the crossbar, leaving the score at 0-0.

Despite the Phoenix’s promising performance, the match took a dramatic turn late in the second half. Stott’s goal resulted from a free-kick taken by Alexia Apostolakis, which was flicked on by Taylor Otto. Stott, wearing the captain’s armband, capitalized on the opportunity, leaving Aimee Danieli, who was making her starting debut in goal for Wellington, with no chance to respond.

The Phoenix had previously faced Melbourne City seven times, suffering defeats in each encounter. Yet, on this occasion, they displayed resilience and skill, only to be thwarted by Stott’s late intervention. Coach Bev Priestman expressed disappointment at the outcome, emphasizing the team’s potential that had been evident throughout the match.

The Phoenix were also adjusting to the absence of their regular goalkeeper, Victoria Esson, who sustained an injury during her own debut with the Football Ferns. Danieli showed promise despite her inexperience, not needing to make a save until the decisive moment that cost her team the match.

Wellington’s next chance to rebound comes as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, aiming to turn the disappointment of this match into motivation for future performances. Their resilience and determination will be key as they navigate the remainder of the season in the A-League Women.