Nix Women goodbye to Longo, Temple
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A momentus game for the Wellington Phoenix Women in what was both head coach Paul Temple and captain Annalie Longo’s final game with the club.
They drew with Western United 1-1 after a powerful header from Sara Eggesvik, in the 75th minutes at Porirua Park.
Western’s lead lasted just five minutes though as Emma Main stole in ahead of goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste to convert from close range.
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The result means Western United miss out on the chance to host a home elimination final finishing the regular season in sixth place and are now to Adelaide United in the first round of the Finals Series.
Temple’s side finish the season in ninth place in his final game in a near decade-long spell with the club while club captain Longo also confirmed after the game she would be departing the club.
Starting the second-half like they did the first, Western went in search of the opener and would have had it were it not for some last ditch Wellington defending.
Completely against the run of play Wellington were then inches away from taking the lead in the 64th minute but Grace Jale was unable to get the final touch on a ball to the back post.
However, the visitors finally found the goal they needed and it came via the head of Eggesvik in the 75th minute from the Philippines international.
Down the right, Manaia Elliott whipped a low ball into the heart of the six yard area which was scooped home by Main to make it 1-1 .
With both sides desperate to find a late winner the game began to bounce from end-to-end and Western were inches away from finding a winner.
Having won a free-kick 25 metres out from goal, Western winger Adriana Taranto stepped up and whipped a wicked delivery towards goal which beat substitute keeper Brooke Neary all ends up before crashing back off the bar.
Wellington were then within a whisker of winning it as Alyssa Whinham sent a dipping effort towards goal from the edge of the area and it would have found the back of the net were it not for a fingertip save from goalkeeper Dall’Oste