Sydney FC has moved into second place on the Liberty A-League ladder after a strong win over Wellington Phoenix in Auckland.
Substitute Rachel Lowe netted the only goal of the game for the Sky Blues’ ninth win of the season.
The result sets up a huge game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium next Sunday afternoon against league leaders Western United at 4pm.
Sydney FC 1 (Lowe 47’) def. Wellington Phoenix 0
Moments That Mattered:
VINE CHANCE -20 ’- Vine beats her defender with pace and bears down on goal but her chip just goes over the bar.
BADAWIYA CHANCE – 36’ – A high ball into the box is punched down to Badawiya by the Nix keeper but the striker’s goal-bound shot is blocked at close range.
LOWE GOAL – 47’ – Phoenix fail to clear a corner and the ball falls to Lowe at close range who swivels and drills the ball low into the corner.
LOWE CHANCE – 79’ – Vine plays the ball into Lowe who turns inside the box and shoots but her shot is saved by a diving Edwards.
VINE SHOT TIPPED OVER – 82’ – A mis-placed Phoenix pass finds Vine who shoots first time but it’s tipped over.
TOBIN HEADER OVER – 83’ – Hawkesby’s cross finds an unmarked Tobin in the box but she puts her header just over the bar.
WHYMAN SAVE – 90′ – Whyman is down quickly to deny Satchell from a tight angle.
What They Said: Natalie Tobin: “It was definitely a tough game travelling over here and we felt very tired but Rachel got one away which was fantastic.
“It was probably her first touch of the game so well done super sub Rachel Lowe.
“It definitely was not one of our best performances but we put in so much effort, as did Wellington, they are a very physical team.
“It’s a long trip – our first to New Zealand but we are very happy with the win and the three points.”
Match Report: Sydney FC have moved into second place on the Liberty A-League ladder with a game in hand on leaders Western United after a comfortable 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in Auckland.
After a close first half, the Sky Blues took the initiative early in the second when substitute Rachel Lowe finished off a scrambled corner inside the box.
From there it was all Sydney FC who had a number of chances to finish off the game but Edwards in the Phoenix goal was in fine form.
A second goal wasn’t necessary for the three points in the end and it sets up a fantastic potential Premiers Plate decider against Western United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium next Sunday afternoon.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK),3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 6. Sarah HUNTER, 11. Cortnee VINE, 12. Natalie TOBIN (C), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 19. Charlize RULE, 20. Princess IBINI-ISEI (7. Teigan COLLISTER 88’), 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 25. Rola BADAWIYA (8. Rachel LOWE 46’).
Unused Subs: 30 Katie OFFER (GK), 2. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 4. Anna GREEN.
Yellow Cards: Vine 44’, Juric 45’.
Red Cards: None
Wellington Phoenix: 12. Brianna EDWARDS (gk), 3. Kate TAYLOR (10. Alyssa WHINHAM 75’), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 7. Chloe KNOTT, 8. Grace WISNEWSKI, 9. Ava PRITCHARD (16. Emma ROLSTON 75’), 14. Michaela ROBERTSON, 17. Claudia CICCO (. Saskia VOSPER 87’), 20. Milly CLEGG (13. Paige SATCHELL 61’), 21. Michaela FOSTER.
Unused Subs: 50. Corina BROWN (GK) .
Yellow Cards: Barry 54’, Van Der Meer 63’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: North Harbour Stadium Auckland
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Attendance: TBC
