Two young substitutes have delivered the Wellington Phoenix their first win of the new year.
Teenagers Zoe Benson and Pia Vlok, former teammates at Auckland United, have scored late goals to secure the Phoenix a 2-0 victory over second-placed Canberra United at McKellar Park in Canberra.
Benson, 19, broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, shortly after coming off the bench, while Vlok, 17, scored a sensational second deep into injury time to seal the three points after entering the match early in the second half.
The result moves Wellington up to sixth on the ladder, just three points behind Canberra and with a game in hand.
The hosts played the entirety of the second half with just 10 players after having a player sent off in first half stoppage time and Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman says they had to be patient, and they knew eventually the goals would come.
“Pia’s been outstanding all season and Zoe all week has looked like she could score,” Priestman said.
“She did exactly what I asked of her from the moment she went on the pitch and I’m delighted for her.
“This club is big on promoting young players and if they’re good enough they’re old enough and I’m delighted for them to go and deliver.”
The Nix were cheered on by a larger than usual corner of yellow with the Yellow Fever in Canberra for leg one of their tour of duty over Wellington Anniversary weekend.
“We have unbelievable fans…and we had a great moment at the end.
“Everything we do is for that fanbase.
“I’m delighted we could reward them for coming all of this way with the three points.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Wellington players celebrate their second goal during the round 13 A-League Women match between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix at McKellar Park, on January 17, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Bev Priestman made two changes to the XI which started last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Melbourne City, with new signings Makala Woods and Emma Pijnenburg replacing Vlok and fellow New Zealand age-group international Daisy Brazendale, who were named amongst the substitutes.
Woods received a “welcome to the A-League” moment just five minutes into her starting debut when she was crunched by Canberra defender Tegan Bertolissio as she attempted to launch a counter-attack. Bertolissio received a yellow card for her indiscretion.
Lara Wall delivered a great ball across the six yard box a couple of minutes later, but it was just out of Woods’ reach and Canberra were able to scramble clear.
Wall had to have her wits about her at the other end of the park midway through the first half to clear away a Michelle Heyman header.
Canberra had a couple of shots from outside the box soon after but neither were able to test Vic Esson in Wellington’s goal.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Makala Woods of the Phoenix in action during the round 13 A-League Women match between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix at McKellar Park, on January 17, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Heyman had their best opportunity in the 36th minute when Jazmin Wardlow delivered a left-wing cross into the Phoenix penalty area but the Matildas forward headed narrowly wide of the right post.
Sally James had a nervy moment in the Canberra goal soon after when her attempted clearance ricocheted off Woods. Thankfully for her it spun across goal and one of her defenders was able to scramble clear.
The Nix looked most likely to open the scoring from a corner. They had six of them in the first half but none of them managed to really test James.
The hosts were reduced to 10 players in the third minute of first half stoppage time when Bertolissio was shown a second yellow card for another bad foul on Woods, who was again attempting to launch a Wellington attack.
Priestman was forced to make a couple of changes at halftime, with stand-in captain Mackenzie Barry unable to continue because of an ankle injury. Manaia Elliott replaced Barry and moved into the left wingback role, while Wall moved into the back three and Ellie Walker took over the captain’s armband.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Mackenzie Barry of the Phoenix in action during the round 13 A-League Women match between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix at McKellar Park, on January 17, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Elliott was straight into the thick of the action and headed a right-wing cross narrowly wide of the far post.
Priestman made a further two substitutions 10 minutes into the second half, bringing on Vlok and Brazendale in place of Pijnenburg and Emma Main.
Despite the numerical superiority the Phoenix struggled to make the most of their advantage and create regular goalscoring opportunities.
Brooke Nunn, who was uncharacteristically quiet in the first half, struck the side-netting shortly after the hour mark following some great interplay with Woods.
And Lucía León hooked a shot straight at James in Canberra’s goal in the 78th minute after the Nix had earned their first corner of the second half.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Lucia Leon of the Phoenix in action during the round 13 A-League Women match between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix at McKellar Park, on January 17, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Priestman made her final substitution soon after, with León replaced by Benson.
She broke Canberra’s resistance five minutes after coming on. A cross from Nunn was deflected to the edge of the six-yard box, where Benson met it and tucked her first-time shot inside the right-hand post.
Vlok sealed the result 10 minutes later in the sixth minute of time added on when she unleashed a pinpoint shot from wide left to beat a backtracking Sally James back into Canberra’s goal after she had pushed up for a corner as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.
The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow and have a full week to prepare for the arrival of Adelaide United at Porirua Park next Sunday.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY (c) (11. Manaia ELLIOTT 46th), 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 14. Lucía LEÓN (27. Zoe BENSON 81st), 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 20. Emma MAIN (5. Daisy BRAZENDALE 56th) 21. Lara WALL, 23. Brooke NUNN, 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG (24. Pia VLOK 56th).
Unused substitutes: 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 28. Grace BARTLETT.
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 3. Liz ANTON, 5. Jazmin WARDLOW, 6. Josie AULICINO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 23. Michelle HEYMAN (c) (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 86th), 25. Darcey MALONE (7. Emma HAWKINS 72nd), 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON (19. Sienna DALE 90+5).
Unused substitutes: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (gk), 2. Alex MCKENZIE, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY.
Goals:
27. Zoe BENSON (Wellington Phoenix) – 86th
24. Pia VLOK (Wellington Phoenix) – 90+6
Cards:
28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO (Canberra United) – yellow – 6th, yellow/red – 45+3
7. Grace JALE (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 15th
11. Manaia ELLIOTT (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 51st
14. Lucía LEÓN (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 65th
32. Bethany GORDON (Canberra United) – yellow – 90+3
