Sarah Clark’s incredible long-range goal six minutes from the end rescued a point for Canberra United in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle Jets in the Liberty A-League.
The Jets appeared on track for maximum points thanks to Melindaj Barbieri, whose maiden Newcastle goal in the 72nd minute had her team in pole position at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
However, lowly Canberra refused to surrender and earned a share of the spoils via an unlikely source – 24-year-old American centre-back Clark.
All eyes were on Canberra legend Michelle Heyman in pursuit of her 100th A-Leagues goal, but Sarina Bolden gave the Jets a 15th-minute lead before the visitors turned the match on its head with two unanswered goals via Nikki Flannery and Deven Jackson prior to the break.
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Lara Gooch came off the bench to restore parity six minutes into the second half and Barbieri put the home side ahead, only for Canberra to hit back late.
The result left the Jets seventh in the standings and outside the top six on goal difference, while Canberra remain bottom of the standings having draw their past three games.
Newcastle applied plenty of early pressure as Canberra’s defence were kept busy and they scored first in front of their home fans.
It was a moment of magic from Bolden, whose ferocious strike on the turn rifled into the roof of the net to make it five goals in six games.
Heyman had a golden chance to restore parity three minutes later after Vesna Milivojevic whipped in a delightful cross but the legendary striker could only glance her header wide.
But Canberra did equalise in the 23rd minute and it was set up by Heyman – she brought the ball down and found an unmarked Flannery to slot home into an empty net.
Canberra completed the turnaround eight minutes later after an unstoppable charging run down the wing saw Jackson score her first A-Leagues goal.
The Jets did have a chance to level proceedings in first-half stoppage time but an attempt went agonisingly wide.
Newcastle fans celebrated within a minute of the second half starting thinking Bolden had equalised but it was immediately ruled out for offside.
Jets goalkeeper Isobel Nino then needed to make a strong diving save to deny Flannery in the 49th minute.
Lara Gooch was introduced at the break to change the game for Newcastle and the substitute did just that in the 51st minute when she found the back of the net from outside the penalty area.
Heyman was in the perfect spot to not only restore Canberra’s lead but bring up her 100th goal but the diving veteran was unable to get a boot to the ball inside the six-yard box.
With 17 minutes remaining, the Jets retook the lead following some fantastic individual work from Bolden, who put the ball on a platter for Barbieri to celebrate her maiden Newcastle goal before being substituted.
Canberra needed a goal and they got it from their centre-back Clark in the 84th minute – a stunning long-range strike.
Melina Ayres almost snatched victory for the Jets in the 89th minute but she was thwarted by Chloe Lincoln.
Newcastle had a host of chances during the closing stages as space opened up but Gary van Egmond’s side couldn’t make the breakthrough to seal maximum points.
The Talking Point
The focus heading into the contest was firmly on A-Leagues great Heyman.
She entered the game just one goal away from becoming the first player in Liberty A-League history to score 100 goals having struck against Sydney FC during the re-arranged fixture on Wednesday.
However, the star striker was unable to create history on Saturday.
Often isolated, Heyman did have some changes but she could not find the back of the net.
She did, unselfishly, tee up Flannery for the equaliser and came agonisingly to reaching the milestone in the second half, though the final touch evaded her.
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Bolden was at the heart of everything good for the Jets – she scored a stunning goal and set up another. Gooch also changed the game for Newcastle.
American import Clark also scored her first senior top-flight goal which salvaged a point for Canberra.
However, Saturday was a big moment for Canberra’s Jackson.
Her wonderful solo run saw the 25-year-old celebrate the first goal of her Liberty A-League career.
It capped an incredible journey for the New Zealander, who had stopped playing football for three years before returning in 2022.
Three hip operations halted her career but her partner and best friend lured her back onto the field almost two years ago – making her way back via Eastern Suburbs in New Zealand and she helped the amateur club to the National League title.
“I’ve had three hip surgeries in the past three years. It was quite invasive and I’ve got the scars to prove it,” she said previously.
Then last year, she debuted for New Zealand against none other than the might of women’s football – the United States in a pre-2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Jackson then joined Canberra ahead of the 2023-24 campaign – her first time in the A-Leagues.
What it means
The Jets and Canberra remain on the outside of the top four looking in.
For the second straight week, Newcastle scored three goals but on this occasion the Jets had to share the points.
Next up for the seventh-placed Jets are Brisbane Roar on Saturday, January 13 in the Unite Round.
For bottom side Canberra, they have drawn three straight games for the first time since 2022.
In the midst of a five-match winless run, Adelaide United await during Unite Round on January 13.
