Canberra United have won their second game in a row to start the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women’s season, with a thrilling one-goal win away to the Wellington Phoenix.
It was a cagey opening to the match as both sides battled for control in the opening stages. Wellington seemed to be attacking more but struggled to breakdown the Canberra defence with Sally James untested.
Despite Wellington having the majority of possession, Canberra did what they do best and took the lead through a great passage of transition play.
A wonderful through ball from midfielder Emma Robers found the feet of Maja Markovski, who drew the keeper out before slipping the ball to Michelle Heyman, with the legendary striker netting for her 100th club goal, and first in Wellington.
Finding themselves a goal down early, the hosts began to throw everything at it. They had a golden opportunity to level the scores with Alyssa Whinham through on goal, but an exceptional block from Elizabeth Anton ensured Wellington remained scoreless in the first half.
Wellington came out absolutely firing in the second stanza, throwing everything they could at Canberra’s defence. They might have found an equaliser had it not been for a stunning diving save from Sally James off the back of a corner.
Alyssa Whinham had another golden opportunity, this time beating Sally James with her shot but saw her effort bounce back off the post before being cleared away.
It seemed as if the football gods were on Canberra’s side today, with Wellington peppering the goal for the majority of the second half but could not find the back of the net whatsoever.
Coming on with just under 15 to go, Jynaya Dos Santos came close to making an immediate impact but could not get enough power behind it.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Wellington launched forward on the counter-attack and may have been through on goal had it not been for well-timed tackle from Hayley Taylor-Young on Annalie Longo.
With an additional eight minutes of time added on, a Maya McCutcheon header deep into injury time produced another incredible save from James in goal.
Having needed to defend for the majority of the second half, Canberra held firm to secure a second win in a row to start the season and first ever in New Zealand.
Canberra United are back in action on Saturday 16 November against Adelaide United at McKellar Park. Tickets on sale here.
