Melbourne City extended its unbeaten start to the season with a vital 1-0 win over Wellington at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Sunday afternoon.
City skipper Rebekah Stott was the hero with an 85th minute winner as City returned to Ninja A-League action for the first since early November.
TEAM NEWS
Despite not playing a competitive game since Vietnam, Michael Matricciani named an unchanged starting XI from the team which defeated Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 to secure top spot in Group A of the AFC Women’s Champions League.
Ellie Wilson was named on the bench for the first time in the 2025/26 campaign after recovering from a concussion.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Danielle TURNER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 9. Holly MCNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 11. Deven JACKSON, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In perfect conditions for football and a strong home crowd in attendance, City returned to Ninja A-League action after a month-long break, looking to build on their Round 2 win over Central Coast.
City controlled possession early but found it difficult to break down a disciplined Wellington defence. The game’s first half-chance came in the 13th minute, when Holly McNamara nearly capitalised on a loose touch from the Phoenix keeper, but the rebound narrowly evaded her on the edge of the area. McNamara won the ball back moments later, but her resulting cross couldn’t find a teammate.
Wellington’s first real opportunity arrived in the 22nd minute through Grace Jale and Brooke Nunn, ending with captain CJ Bott flashing a low shot across the face of goal.
Five minutes later, City nearly punished another Nix error as Aideen Keane’s block on an attempted pass trickled agonisingly wide of the post.
The visitors came closest to opening the scoring just before the break. Nunn struck the crossbar with a powerful drive, and Jale fired the rebound over – a lucky escape that kept the scores level heading into the half-time interval.
City had goalkeeper Malena Mieres to thank on several occasions, producing a string of vital saves, including a sharp stop in the 50th minute to deny Manaia Elliott after a slick combination with Nunn. Rebekah Stott led by example at the back, delivering several important blocks and keeping the defensive structure organised throughout.
With the clock winding down and both teams pushing for a winner, it was second-half substitute Danella Butrus who injected life into the contest. Fresh off signing a new deal with the club, Butrus dazzled on the right wing and earned a free kick after drawing a foul with her footwork.
From the resulting set piece, Alexia Apostolakis floated in a perfect delivery, which was headed back across goal by Taylor Otto. There waiting was Stott to nod home a captain’s goal in the 85th minute and give City the late breakthrough.
Wellington pushed late but City stood strong to secure a valuable three points, a result that showcased the team’s resilience even on a less-than-vintage day.
WHAT’S NEXT?
City travel to McKellar Park on Saturday 13 December to take on the in-form Canberra United, before returning home to host Adelaide United in mid-week football at home on Wednesday 17th December at 5:30pm. Click here to get your tickets.
