A stunning hat-trick from Sarina Bolden has fired Newcastle Jets to a 3-0 Liberty A-League win over Brisbane Roar at Maitland Sportsground.
The Philippines international opened the scoring in the 39th minute, heading home from a corner to make it 1-0 despite Brisbane having enjoyed plenty of possession in Saturday’s contest.
Bolden then sprinted clear of the Jets backline before cooly slotting the ball beyond Jordan Silkowitz to make it 2-0 in the 77th minute before wrapping up her hat-trick in style just a minute later, firing a low shot past Silkowitz from a tight angle to seal all three points.
The result moves the Jets up into fifth place on the ladder, just three points behind Melbourne Victory in fourth, while Bolden now sits second in the race for the Golden Boot after taking her tally for the season to 11 goals.
Despite Brisbane largely controlling possession it was the Jets who stole the lead on the approach to half-time as Bolden leapt highest from a corner to head home the opener in the 39th minute.
“The Roar’s woes continue,” said Paramount+ commentator Taryn Heddo. “Worrying for the Roar that is the 10th goal conceded from a corner this season. That is far an away the most in the competition.”
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Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop looked to galvanise her side after the break, stealing the ball deep inside Jets territory but her stinging, low effort was well saved by Newcastle’s Isobel Nino.
Ayesha Norrie then tried her luck from distance in the 53rd minute, attempting an audacious knuckleball free-kick from 30 metres out which narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
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Newcastle almost grabbed their second of the game in the 64th minute but Sophie Hoban couldn’t convert from close range despite connecting with Lauren Allan’s in-swinging cross.
Brisbane then saw another couple of chances go begging before Bolden stepped up once again, this time sprinting through the midfield to latch on to an inch-perfect throughball before slotting the ball beyond Silkowitz to make it 2-0.
Now well and truly chasing the game Brisbane were caught out just a minute later and this time it really was game over. Outpacing Ayesha Norrie down the right, Bolden demonstrated her incredible athleticism, driving into the box before unleashing a fierce shot from a tight angle which flew past Silkowitz and into the far corner to make it 3-0.
“A wonderful performance from a wonderful player.
Paramount+ commentator Tarryn Heddo on Jets forward Sarina Bolden
“What a player, what a striker, what a pleasure it is to watch her week in, week out in the Liberty A-League,” said Heddo.
The result moves Newcastle up into fifth spot on the ladder following their seventh win of the season while Brisbane Remain in 10th place.
