Phoenix had 60 per cent possession across the match and one more shot, but United were tidier at the back and more clinical up forward.

The second half was far less dramatic, with Wellington fighting hard but not pulling a goal back until near the end.

Wellington deservedly scored first in the 14th minute after plenty of early possession and promising attacks down the flanks.

United defender Sasha Grove turned a testing Alyssa Whinham cross into her own net under pressure from Phoenix Mebae Tanaka.

Phoenix’s celebrations had barely ended when United equalised almost immediately from the restart, without a visiting player touching the ball.

A long ball from Grace Maher found Western captain Chloe Logarzo, whose first shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Carolina Vilao.

Matildas stalwart Logarzo pounced on the rebound and her follow up shot beat the Portuguese shot stopper inside her near post.

United hit the front in the 19th minute when Aimee Medwin steered the ball home from a cross from Kahli Johnson.

Phoenix paid the price for turning over possession near their penalty area in the 39th minute with a Catherine Zimmerman cross turned in by Johnson.

A minute later, Villa and a teammate got in each otter’s way and American Zimmerman tapped the ball in from less than a metre out.

Wellington coach Paul Temple made three halftime substitutions, with New Zealand international defender Mackenzie Barry among those replaced.

Phoenix started the second half well and again dominated possession, but an unmarked Whinham spurned a glorious 64th minute opportunity, shooting straight at the goalkeeper from six metres out.

Wellington did pull a goal back In the 82nd minute, when Emma Main smashed a penalty in off the underside of the bar after Grove fouled Lara Wall.

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