ANNALIE Longo has scored a double to fire Wellington to an upset 2-1 A-League Women win over a Brisbane Roar team missing its two biggest stars.<\/p>\n
Longo announced her return from injury by opening the scoring in the 35th minute before clinching the match-winner in the 69th at Porirua Park.<\/p>\n
Also on Sunday, Western United claimed a 2-1 win over reigning champions Sydney FC, who sit a lowly 11th, while Adelaide United defeated Newcastle 2-0.<\/p>\n
In the late game, Melbourne Victory beat Perth Glory 1-0 courtesy of a 92nd-minute stunner from Alana Murphy to go second behind Melbourne City on the table.<\/p>\n
Wellington edged closer to the top six after securing their second win of the season against a Brisbane outfit without star Matilda midfielder Tameka Yallop and winger Sharn Freier.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix are eighth (2-3), while the Roar (3-2) remain second on the table.<\/p>\n
Longo intercepted a poor pass from Brisbane defender Leia Varley meant for Holly McQueen before pulling off a one-two with teammate Olivia Fergusson to find her first goal.<\/p>\n
Roar equalised a minute into added time before the break when Phoenix midfielder Daisy Brazendale mistakenly released to Emily Pringle, but Longo popped up again in the second half to complete her double.<\/p>\n
Longo had been out of action since round three after suffering a facial injury against Newcastle.<\/p>\n
Roar striker Evdokiya Popadiynova is looking at a stint on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury while chasing down Phoenix centre-back Mackenzie Barry in the 54th minute.<\/p>\n
At Ironbark Fields, substitute Kiara de Domizio scored in the 89th minute against Sydney to gift Western United the three points.<\/p>\n
The hosts found a way through the stalemate in the 55th minute when Kahli Johnson launched a long-range left-footed shot.<\/p>\n
But their elation did not last long, with Sky Blues substitute Amber Luchtmeijer equalising three minutes later.<\/p>\n
Western United began the more daring side in the second half and found their reward through de Domizio.<\/p>\n
Adelaide star Fiona Worts put on a show at ServiceFM Stadium, scoring in the 45th and 63rd minutes to lift her side to third on the table in a 2-0 win over Newcastle.<\/p>\n
The Reds’ first goal arrived after Jets goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak handled the ball outside the area. She then spilled Emily Condon’s free kick and in a goalmouth scramble and Worts forced the ball over the line.<\/p>\n
Eighteen minutes later, Worts tapped home a lovely ball from Lucia Leon.<\/p>\n
In the late game at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Perth goalkeeper Casey Dumont denied Rachel Lowe from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.<\/p>\n
But Dumont would not have the last laugh against her old team; Murphy unleashed a skidding long-range drive to snatch all three points.<\/p>\n
JOANNA GUELAS AND ANNA HARRINGTON\/AAP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ANNALIE Longo has scored a double to fire Wellington to an upset 2-1 A-League Women win over a Brisbane Roar team missing its two biggest stars. Longo announced her return from injury by opening the scoring in the 35th minute before clinching the match-winner in the 69th at Porirua Park. Also on Sunday, Western United […]<\/p>\n