Two goals in as many second-half minutes led Melbourne City to a 2-1 comeback win over Wellington Phoenix as the league leaders kept their unbeaten start to the season rolling on Saturday afternoon.
Olivia Fergusson put Wellington ahead in the first half as Paul Temple’s side looked to continue a four-game unbeaten run – but an Alivia Kelly own goal invited City back into the contest after the break, and within two minutes the hosts had claimed the lead through newly-capped CommBank Matilda Laura Hughes’ third goal of the Ninja A-League season.
Saturday’s win over Wellington restored City’s lead at the top of the table to three points as Michael Matricciani’s side found the perfect response to second-place Melbourne Victory’s win over Sydney FC in Round 8.
Wellington came into Round 8 off the back of a four-game unbeaten run (three wins, one draw). Riding high on confidence on their travels to Victoria, the in-form Phoenix took the lead at ctrl:cyber Pitch through Fergusson who was in the right place at the right time to tap home the opening goal after Grace Jale’s shot was saved into her path.
City head coach Matricciani made a triple-change early in the second half, injecting star trio Holly McNamara, Mariana Speckmaier and Rhianna Pollicina into the action as the league leaders chased an equalising goal.
Wellington held their one-goal lead until the 67-minute mark before disaster struck for the visitors, as City scored twice in two minutes to turn the game on its head.
The comeback was sparked by Kelly’s own goal, with the Phoenix defender’s header looping over the head of keeper Carolina Vilão.
Two minutes later, City had the lead and it was newly-capped Matildas midfielder Hughes who put the league leaders on top.
Alexia Apostolakis supplied the assist with a pinpoint cross and Hughes did the rest, diving to meet the ball and angling her header past Vilão into the back of the net.
