W-League: Sydney hold out Jets after miracle goal

After a dominant 4-0 victory over the Lady Reds last weekend, the Jets now look to a decisive home ground win to kick start their season run to secure a finals position, while Sydney look to keep their 2nd place position and challenge Perth for first place glory.

Chances came from both forwards as the game dragged on, with Jasmyne Spencer and Emily Van Egmond both matching each other chance for chance, but it proved difficult to break past either side’s star keepers.

A freak chance came late in the first half for Sydney, as a clearance from Coelho glanced off Spencer’s shoulder and slammed home just inside the eighteen yard box, giving Sydney’s striker a chance to drive the loose ball home and put her team one up over the Jets.

Stunned by the goal, the Jets pushed back, trying desperately to make up for the goal that no one saw coming as the first half ticked down, but Van Egmond’s efforts at the front, combined with Dobson and Andrews movements on the wing, couldn’t break through, and the whistle for the second half blew without Spencer’s goal answered.

Strong chances came from the Jets early in the second half, with Van Egmond and Huster both pushing forward to try and equalize the game. Shots from Amber Neilson combined with the efforts up front, but once again they couldn’t find the back of the net.

Injury struck for Sydney in the 69th minute as Polias limped from the field, seemingly having injured her leg in a tackle on the edge of her eighteen yard box, but quickly returned to the pitch after an examination with the team physio.

The second half saw the Jets kick up their game a notch, and captain Emily Van Egmond knew that the side played better, but was disappointed with their lack of finishing.

“Full credit to Casey [Dumont],” she said after the match.

“She saved everything we sent at her, including a wonder save against Andrews, and that definitely gave them the win in the match.”

With the win Sydney FC take themselves to the top of the table, just awaiting Perth’s game to solidify their position, while Newcastle remain on six points.

Next week sees Newcastle face off against the bottom placed team, Western Sydney Wanderers, while Sydney play against their top table competitors, Perth Glory, in a bid to claim the top position as the half point of the season looms.



Newcastle Jets Squad: 20. Claire Coelho (GK), 2. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 3. Hayley Crawford, 4. Ashley Spina, 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Victoria Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrew, 10. Emily Van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson

Substitutes: 1. Hannah Southwell, 12. Sophie Nenandovic, 15. Elizabeth Copus-Brown, 24. Brooke Miller (GK)


Sydney FC Squad: 1. Casey Dumont (GK), 2. Teresa Polias (c), 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Nicola Bolger, 8. Amy Harrison, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Natalie Tobin, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson

Substitutes: 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 14. Olivia Price, 20. Alyssa Harris (GK)