Wellington Phoenix player Emma Rolston was sent off after colliding with her opponent
Will Russell/Getty Images
Phoenix striker Emma Rolston and Glory midfielder Ella Mastrantonio both saw red after clashes in the first half.
At Macedonia Park, Perth: Perth Glory 2 (Cyera Hintzen 6′, Susan Phonsongkham 14′) Wellington Phoenix 0. HT: 2-0
Football Fern Emma Rolston was sent off in Wellington Phoenix’s 2-0 loss to Perth Glory when players from both teams saw red after a first half.
Rolston and Glory’s Ella Mastrantonio were shown red cards after a heated altercation in the 35th minute, which started when Mastrantonio hacked at a prone Rolston after she was felled in a challenge.
Rolston stood up and tried to push the Glory midfielder away, but Mastrantonio grabbed Rolston by the hair and pulled her towards her. Rolston responded by shoving her hand into her opponent’s face.
Referee Casey Reibelt red-carded both players, leaving Phoenix and Glory to see out the rest of the match with just 10 players on the pitch.
It has been a forgettable start to life at Phoenix for Rolston, one of the club’s big off-season signings.
Plagued by injuries, she has played just 245 minutes in the first eight games and is yet to score a goal.
Rolston will now miss their next game at home to Canberra United next Sunday, but her involvement was always set to be limited as she will link up with the Football Ferns when she returns to Wellington.
Will Russell/Getty Images
Referee Casey Reibelt shows a red card to Glory midfielder Ella Mastrantonio.
Phoenix remain the only winless team in the A-League Women and are yet to taste victory under Natalie Lawrence.
They welcomed back Kate Taylor and Paige Satchell for their long trip to Perth but got off to a terrible start, conceding twice inside the first 15 minutes.
American forward Cyera Hintzen gave Glory an early lead when she turned Mackenzie Barry and beat Brianna Edwards with a shot from long range.
Barry then gave away an unnecessary penalty, picking up Hana Lowry late on after the Glory midfielder had already moved the ball forward.
Susan Phonsongkham stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, burying the ball in the bottom left corner, while Edwards guessed the wrong way.
Phoenix’s best chances came late in the game, but they lacked the composure required to trouble Glory goalkeeper Sarah Langman.
Substitute Milly Clegg broke down the right wing and picked out Ava Pritchard at the near post in the 79th minute, but Pritchard tried to volley the ball and missed the target.
Moments later, Michaela Robertson drove down the touchline and combined with Clegg who managed to get a pass over to Foster in the penalty area.
But Foster also tried to hit the ball with a first-time volley, and her effort was saved by Langman.
Phoenix’s winless run has now stretched to eight games, increasing the pressure on Lawrence after a dismal start.
