Wellington Phoenix celebrate victory. Photo: photosport
A "moment of magic" from Macey Fraser was the highlight of the Wellington Phoenix's third straight women's A-League win, seeing off Western United 3-1 in Porirua.
Playing their first game at their new home venue - young Phoenix midfielder Fraser was the standout figure, with her fine all-round game capped by a brilliant goal from a free kick.
Coach Paul Temple couldn't praise Fraser enough, starting with the goal which was curled into the top corner from outside the box to put her side 2-0 ahead just before the halftime break.
"That was just a moment of magic," Temple said.
"We're very aware that she's capable of doing that and we were screaming at her to get on the free-kick.
"Personally, I think she was the best player on the pitch. Just the quality she showed today in everything she did. She looked in control and very at home at this level.
"I thought that was her best performance overall and amazing goal to cap it off."
The Phoenix women have already matched their win total from the 2022-23 season just four matches into the new campaign.
"It's good for the confidence," Temple said.
"I keep telling them that we're a team that is going to cause trouble for anyone in this league and we can beat anyone on our day, and we just need them to keep believing in that.
"The more we play, the more we keep wining and get on a roll the more they believe in themselves, and I think that's the key.
"They've got to keep believing in themselves. Anything's possible if we can put it altogether."
Kate Taylor was inches away from getting the Phoenix off to a dream start, shooting narrowly over the bar barely 60 seconds into the match.
Half an hour into the match left back Michaela Foster found some space high up the pitch and came close to picking out Chloe Knott with a cross, but it was just behind the Wellington midfielder.
The two combined from the following corner with Knott finding the back of the net from close range after Western were unable to deal with Foster's delivery.
Foster ensured the Phoenix went to the break two goals to the good when she made an important goal line clearance in time added on.
They were 3-0 up in the 77th minute when Western United substitute Keiwa Hieda headed a near post corner from Foster into her own net.
Last year's beaten finalists had to wait until the third minute of time added on to pull a goal back, with Logarzo producing a top quality strike from outside the box that dipped under Rylee Foster's crossbar.
The Phoenix will next face Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday.