Glory missed out on a chance to force their way back into the Ninja A-League top six as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against in-form Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium on Friday.
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Completing a first ever season double over the hosts would have seen Stephen Peters’ side displace Central Coast Mariners from sixth spot heading into the final six games of the season.
But instead a goal in first-half stoppage-time from Makala Woods proved enough to secure a fourth successive victory for Phoenix which saw them replace Melbourne City as ladder leaders.
Clearly brimming with confidence off the back of their fine recent form, Phoenix made a predictably strong start and created several decent chances inside the opening 12 minutes.
The first fell to Woods who was brilliantly denied by the alert Teresa Morrissey having been teed up unselfishly by strike partner Lucia Woods and Woods then went close herself, just failing to divert home a low cross from Brooke Nunn with a clever backheel.
Glory did well to weather that early storm without conceding and gradually forced themselves into the contest as the half wore on.
It was Bronte Trew who provided the biggest threat for the visitors, troubling the home defence with her pace and movement and getting two shots away, one of which drew a save from home ‘keeper Victoria Esson.
At that stage it looked as if the sides would head into the break still locked up at 0-0, but there was to be a stoppage-time sting in the tail for Glory as some slipshod defending was seized upon by Woods who proceeded to calmly stroke home her third goal of the season.
The women in purple needed to make a strong start to the second half, but despite enjoying plenty of possession and moving the ball purposefully at times, they struggled to break down the tightest defence in the competition.
At the other end, meanwhile, Phoenix regularly threatened to double their lead with Morrissey doing well to smother at the feet of Nunn before Onyi Zogg hacked a Grace Jale header off the line.
Former Glory striker Jale then went even closer 16 minutes from time, crashing a shot against the crossbar having been cleverly picked out by lively substitute Mackenzie Anthony.
With just the one goal separating the sides, tension started to creep around the stands at Sky Stadium in the final moments, but although they did manage to force a flurry of late corners, Glory were unable to seriously test Esson and prevent Phoenix from locking in another win.
Glory return to ALW action on Saturday 14 February when Canberra United will provide the opposition (kick-off at 5pm).
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 16
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Woods 45+4′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 1-0
Sky Stadium
Friday 6 February 2026
Referee: Anna Marie Keighly
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 14. Lucía LEÓN (30. Mackenzie ANTHONY 56′), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 21. Lara WALL (11.Manaia ELLIOTT 46′), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK (27. Zoe BENSON 72′), 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 62′)
Substitutes not used: 20. Emma MAIN, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk)
Yellow Cards: Woods
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 3.Emma TOVAR, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11.Natalie TATHEM (19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE 46′), 12.Bronte TREW, 17.Rola BADAWIYA (25.Ella LINCOLN 79′), 23.Isobel DALTON (c), 24.Julia SARDO, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG
Substitutes not used: 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 9.Gabby HOLLAR, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 30.Jessica SKINNER (gk)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Wrap: Glory slip to narrow defeat against in-form Phoenix
