Auckland FC back on top, Nix women beaten
- editor59343
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Auckland have moved to the top of the A-League ladder after a 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners at polytec Stadium.
Sam Cosgrove’s powerful diving header settled the occasion for Auckland just before the hour mark, after Callan Elliott’s unfortunate own goal had earlier cancelled out Jesse Randall’s 20th minute opener.
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Francis de Vries and Lachlan Brook were the architects of Auckland’s victory, both of them constantly challenging the CCM defence with pace, directness and skill while Jesse Randall scored the first goal of the match in the 20th minute.
Meanwhile another frustrating defeat for the Wellington Phoenix women in Australia.
The Phoenix have been beaten 1-0 by Perth Glory at Sam Kerr Football Centre in Perth after conceding direct from a corner 15 minutes from fulltime.
Wellington’s goal had otherwise been untroubled, with the Nix dominating the match with 16 shots to Glory’s five.
It left head coach Bev Priestman with a feeling of déjà vu after an identical result and a near identical performance in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been the story of our away trip,” Priestman told media post-match. “Two set play goals in the last 15 minutes of the game.
“Statistically it was a winning performance, but all credit to Perth. It’s tough going back-to-back-to-back losses and I thought they were hungry tonight and did everything to make it difficult for us.
“I’m very, very frustrated. It feels like a kick in the guts. I know the players put a huge shift in but at the end of the day you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net and we didn’t.”
The Wellington Phoenix will make the long trip home today before quickly turning their attentions to next Saturday’s match against Sydney FC at Porirua Park.