Second-half goals from former Glory forward Grace Jale and strike partner Olivia Fergusson consigned the women in purple to a 2-0 away defeat at the hands of Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
View full match highlights HERE
Glory managed to keep the in-form hosts at bay during the first half amidst blustery conditions at scenic Porirua Park, but almost immediately after the restart, Jale drilled into the bottom corner from 25 metres out.
1-0 became 2-0 midway through the half when Olivia Fergusson headed home a Lara Wall cross and although substitute Tanika Lala and Miku Sunaga both went close late on, Glory were ultimately unable to breach one of the competition’s tightest defences.
Phoenix made a fast start to the game, Grace Johnston doing well to block a goalbound effort from Mebae Tanaka inside the opening four minutes and the Japanese import then heading an Annalie Longo cross over the bar.
Jale and Tanaka proceeded to force regulation saves from Casey Dumont as the first half wore on, before Natalie Tathem responded with a long-range effort which flew over the bar in the shadows of half-time.
Wellington had the wind at their backs in the second half and wasted no time in taking full advantage as Jale surged towards the Glory goal, took aim and rifled a shot past Dumont to break the deadlock.
And Stephen Peters’ side were left with a mountain to climb when, in the 69th minute, Fergusson diverted Wall’s inviting cross into the net with a powerful header.
To their credit, Glory refused to crumble and came agonisingly close to pulling a goal back five minutes from time.
The initial chance fell to Lala who raced clear on goal only to be denied by a fine stop from Vilao and when the loose ball broke for Sunaga on the edge of the box, her chipped effort struck the bar and rebounded back out.
Both Claudia Valletta and Ella Lincoln debuted from the bench in the latter stages and played their part as Glory battled gamely to deny Wellington a third consecutive home win, but it was not to be.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2024-25 Season Round 10
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Jale 47′, Fergusson 69′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 0-0
Porirua Park
Saturday 4 January 2025
Referee: Mikayla Ryan
Wellington Phoenix: 39. Carolina VILÃO (gk), 2. Zoe MCMEEKEN (5. Alivia KELLY 71′), 3. Tiana JABER (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 71′), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 6. Maya MCCUTCHEON, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Olivia FERGUSSON, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (20. Emma MAIN 80′), 14. Mebae TANAKA (15. Daisy BRAZENDALE 80′), 16. Annalie LONGO (c), 21. Lara WALL
Substitutes not used: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk)
Yellow Cards: Barry, Jaber, McMeeken
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Casey DUMONT, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 7.Megan WYNNE (25.Ella LINCOLN 85′), 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 9.Gabby HOLLAR (26.Tanika LALA 55′), 11.Natalie TATHEM, 13.Naomi CHINNAMA, 14.Miku SUNAGA, 18.Isabella FOLETTA, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT (4.Claudia VALLETTA 73′), 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG (co-c)
Substitutes not used: 21.Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 23.Izzy DALTON (co-c)
Yellow Cards: Foletta
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
