W-League: Jets dominate Lady Reds in Adelaide

The Newcastle Jets handed the Lady Reds a comprehensive drubbing at Adelaide Shores Football Complex on a fine Sunday afternoon, having found the back of the net four times in the 4-0 win.

A brace from Rhali Dobson, as well as goals to Victoria Huster and captain Emily Van Egmond, gave the Jets the points in a match which they dominated from start to finish.

The Jets started the match showing good intent as they closed down their opponents on the ball and made sure that every tackle was felt. A clearly startled Adelaide outfit didn’t seem to be able to handle the pressure being applied to them, and their only chance within the first half an hour came when Jets defender Amber Neilson carelessly gave the ball to the Lady Red’s Emily Condon, in the final third.

But the Jets continued their aggressive defending and closed Condon down in the back before she could get a shot away.

Not long afterwards, the Jets got themselves on the board courtesy of Huster, who was able to capitalise on Tara Andrews' wonderful though-ball and slot an easy shot past Adelaide keeper Melissa Barbieri on 28 minutes.

Just before half-time the lead was doubled as Dobson played a wonderful ball across to her captain, which was slotted away in a manner which was tantamount to a training drill. Barbieri had no chance.

It was because of Barbieri, though, that the score line wasn’t worse for Adelaide as she bravely blocked a number of close-range efforts and acrobatically saved shots from further out. Despite her athleticism, it was a clearly frustrating afternoon for the experienced keeper.

The second half continued in the same manner in which the first had ended, after Adelaide’s Isabel Hogdson gave away possession to Dobson on the left flank, and bite-sized striker was able to easily beat Barbieri, taking the margin to three.

In the 74th minute, the Jets were able to cap-off their stunning performance and it was none other than Dobson who cracked an effort from the edge of the area after a corner, which flew past Barbieri’s left side and into the net.

Speaking after the game, Dobson said she was pleased with her efforts during the game, but was happier that the team was able to notch up a comprehensive win.

“I am (proud) of the way I played, and a little surprised, actually, but it was nice to play well in a game we won four-nil,” Dobson said.

“Everyone’s ecstatic (with the victory) and the atmosphere between the girls in the change room, it’s completely different to what it was at the start of the season, or even last week,” she said.

Likewise, Jets coach Peter McGuiness was pleased with the way his team played, saying after the game that they were able to control the match with their physicality.

“I’m very happy with the performance… it was nice today to score some goals, and defensively we were very good as well,” McGuiness said.

“I think last week against Brisbane we got bullied a little bit, so we were conscious today of getting into the game so that our football ability could come out."

From the Reds’ perspective, though, there was not much to be pleased about, and defender Monique Iannella – who made her return from injury in the match – said that the feeling amongst the team needs to improve before their next game.

“It wasn’t the best result, but it was great to be out there again, playing with the girls,” Iannella said.

“Four-nil is not a great result, but we know we’re better than that, so we have to move on before the next game.

“We have to start converting some chances, but we were getting the ball up there.

“Hopefully it will come next game because we need to start winning games, and you can’t win if you don’t score."

With three points for the journey home, the Jets are sixth on the ladder with two wins and two losses and will take on Sydney FC at home next week. Adelaideis second-to-last, ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers on goal difference, and will travel to play Melbourne Victory next week.



Adelaide United: 1. Michelle Barbieri (gk), 2. Monique Iannella, 6. Dylan Holmes (off 55') 7. Katrine Pedersen, 8. Emily Condon, 9. Lisa-Marie Woods (off 60'), 11. Isabel Hodgson (off 65'), 15. Jenna McCormick, 16. Katie Holtham, 17. Tiarn Powell, 23. Kristy Moore (captain)

Subs: 4. Lauren Steer (on 55'), 12. Daila-Tais Borg (on 60'), 14. Rachel Alonso (on 65'), 20. Sarah Willacy (gk)


Newcastle Jets: 2. Georgia Yeoman-dale (off 78') 3. Hayley Crawford, 4. Ashley Spina (off 15'), 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Victoria Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Emily Van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson, 20. Claire Coelho (gk)

Subs: 15. Elizabeth Copus-brown (on 78') 16. Cassidy Davis (on 15'), 18. Clare Wheeler (on 84'), 21. Renee Rudder (gk)