Wellington Phoenix women thrash Canberra 5-0 for first win of the season

The Wellington Phoenix women staged a dazzling display of attacking brilliance to stun Canberra United 5-0 in Wellington.

Ava Pritchard of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal during the A-League Women’s – Wellington Phoenix Women v Canberra United at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday 22 January 2023. © Copyright image by Masanori Udagawa / www.photosport.nz
Photo: Masanori Udagawa

The Wellington players celebrated their first win at Wellington’s Sky Stadium as they racked up an unbelievable five goals for their first win of the 2022-2023 season.

Three goals came in the first half during the Round 11 clash with two in the second.

Dominating from the outset, and claiming the three points in style, the Phoenix controlled possession and took their chances.

Opening the goal scoring for the home side was 18-year-old centre Milly Clegg in the 43rd minute.

Experienced Football Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett made the most of her return to the starting line-up with her first goal two minutes later.

The second half began in the same fashion with the Phoenix dictating most of the play.

Ava Pritchard, who had been in the action all game, was rewarded with a goal from close range.

In the 83rd minute the reverse pass from Isabel Gomez allowed Hassett to claim her second goal of the afternoon.

In a turn of events which summed up the visitors’ afternoon, Canberra’s Emma Ilijoski scored an own goal through a deflection off Michaela Foster’s corner.

Grace Wiesneski went off injured, in an otherwise confidence-boosting day for the Wellington side.