Phoenix women gain more points with home win
The Wellington Phoenix women have scored their second consecutive victory to improve their record in the A-League and sit fifth on the points ladder.
They put away Sydney FC 3-1 in Porirua after they had gone winless in their first three matches before a win over Adelaide and then the victory against Sydney.
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It was the sdie's first appearance at Porirua Park since they beat Brisbane in the second leg of last year's semi-final against Brisbane, booking their place in the grand final.
Bev Priestman had her side showing positive signs as they pressured the visitors through a relentless pressing game, pouncing impressively on mistakes.
Indiah-Paige Riley, who replaced an injured Pia Vlok in the Phoenix's only starting change, opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
It came from a slick counter-attack involving Milly Clegg and Brooke Nunn, ending with a simple tap-in from Riley.
Clegg doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 18th minute following another Wellington fast break, which ended when Clegg herself was bundled over in the penalty box by Willa Pearson.
Madeleine Caspers pulled a goal back for Sydney in the 77th minute through a powerful header from a corner.
However, Grace Jale restored the two-goal buffer soon afterwards when she battled to get her foot to the ball at the far post of a corner delivered in by Tameka Yallop.
Wellington's next match is away to Western Sydney on Friday.
