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Justin Chadwick

Matildas veteran strikes gold as Phoenix sink Adelaide

Tameka Yallop has scored her first goal for Wellington in their 2-0 win over the Reds in Adelaide. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop has nailed her first goal in Wellington colours to lead her side to a 2-0 A-League Women victory over a wasteful Adelaide United at ServiceFM Stadium.

Yallop let out a scream of joy when she scored in the 15th minute of Friday night's match in Adelaide, and the points were secured when Indiah-Paige Riley struck on the counter in the 88th.

Adelaide dominated for large parts of the match and ended up having 11 shots on target, but they fluffed a number of golden chances in the breezy conditions.

Yallop's off-season move from her beloved Brisbane Roar to the Phoenix was a big one, with the 35-year-old keen to be closer to family.

Her first three games in yellow and black didn't yield a goal, with Wellington posting one draw and two losses.

But she struck gold early against the Reds, latching onto a pass and making no mistake from from inside the box.

Adelaide should have equalised in the 25th minute when Kiera Meyers burst through for a fast break, but her shot was well saved by the outstretched leg of Phoenix goalkeeper Brooke Neary.

In the 58th minute, United defender Paige Zois almost scored from a 36m free kick when her attempted lob into the box was brought back in by the wind and ended up hitting the upright.

Bev Priestman.
Bev Priestman has coached her first victory of the season, ending a three-game winless run. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide should have equalised in the 65th minute when midfielder Adriana Taranto was left unmarked at the far post and the ball bounced her way.

But from just one metre out and with an open net beckoning, Taranto fluffed the chance into the woodwork.

The result left Adelaide with two draws and two losses from their first four games.

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