Wellington Phoenix player Emma Rolston sent off after clashing with opponent

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 defeat to Perth Glory as players from both teams saw red following a first-half fracas.

Rolston and Glory’s Ella Mastrantonio were shown red cards following a heated altercation in the 35th minute, which kicked off when Mastrantonio hacked at a prone Rolston after she had been brought down in a challenge.

Rolston got up and tried to push the Glory midfielder away but Mastrantonio grabbed Rolston by the hair and yanked her towards her. Rolston reacted by pushing her hand into her opponent’s face.

Referee Casey Reibelt issued red cards to both players, leaving the Phoenix and Glory to see out the rest of the match with just 10 players on the field.

It has been a forgettable start to life at the Phoenix for Rolston, one of the club’s big off-season signings.

Plagued by injuries, she has played just 245 minutes across 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 going to be limited as she is due to link up with the Football Ferns when she returns to Wellington.

The Phoenix remain the only winless team in the A-League Women and are still yet to taste victory under Natalie Lawrence.

They welcomed Kate Taylor and Paige Satchell back for their long trip to Perth but got off to a terrible start, conceding twice inside the opening 15 minutes.

American striker Cyera Hintzen gave the Glory the early lead when she turned Mackenzie Barry and beat Brianna Edwards with a shot from long distance.

Barry then gave away a needless penalty, collecting Hana Lowry late after the Glory midfielder had already moved the ball on.

Susan Phonsongkham stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, burying the ball in the bottom left corner, with Edwards guessing the wrong way.

The Phoenix’s best chances came late in the game but they lacked the composure required to trouble Glory goalkeeper Sarah Langman.

Substitute Milly Clegg burst 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 could not find the target.

Moments later, Michaela Robertson raced down the sideline and combined with Clegg who managed to get a pass across 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.

The Phoenix’s winless run has now stretched to eight games, increasing the pressure on Lawrence after a dismal start.