Newcastle Jets rose above Adelaide United on the Westfield W-League table after a 2-0 win over the Lady Reds at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
Second-half goals to Tara Andrews and substitute Renee Pountney decided the contest in Newcastle.
It was Newcastle’s first home win of the season; a result which lifted the Jets above the Lady Reds into seventh position.
Jenna Kingsley had the first of the chances for Newcastle but she met her match in Sarah Willacy who kept the early chance out of Adelaide’s goal.
With both sides struggling to pose a threat offensively Newcastle striker Andrews put it upon herself to get the hosts up and running, and almost did just that with a phenomenal volley from distance with the ball bouncing across her body, but her shot cannoned off the corner of the crossbar and post and away from danger.
Inspired by Andrews’ audacious attempt Jets substitute Pountney came off the bench to strike a vicious attempt from distance but Willacy was alert to the danger, treading backwards to safely collect the shot between her arms on the goal line.
Adelaide threatened late in the half but never really troubled Claire Coelho in Newcastle’s goal and the sides went into the half time break with the scoreline at 0-0.
VOTE: Westfield W-League Coach of the Month – January
VOTE: Westfield W-League Player of the Month – January
The contest resumed in the second half in need of a spark and that spark came through a cross from Tessa Tamplin which Amber Brooks was adjudged to have handled in the box despite the Lady Reds’ fierce protests.
A penalty was duly awarded and Andrews stepped forward to fire home the spot kick to put the hosts one goal to the good.
The Jets had the wind in their sails and began to play with more confidence as Andrews tried once more to score on the volley from distance, but for the second time in the game her left-foot strike from a bouncing throw-in went just wide of the mark.
The visitors pushed hard for an equaliser and almost found one in controversial circumstances when Coelho gave away a free kick just outside of Newcastle’s defensive box on a tight angle; Brooks went forward to meet the ensuing dead ball and curled a first-time effort toward goal which flashed just wide of the top corner.
After threatening to equalise Adelaide ultimately went two goals down when Pountney arrived in the box to finish off a threatening cross from Teigan Collister; the two substitutes combining to perfection to put the Jets two goals ahead and in a commanding position in the game.
Deflated after conceding a second goal the Lady Reds fought hard to the final whistle but couldn’t put a goal of their own on the board, allowing the Jets to cruise to a 2-0 victory as they leaped above Adelaide into seventh position on the Westfield W-League table.
Key moments
Andrews goes close with a long-range volley
Desperate to fire her side into the lead, Andrews summed up this audacious attempt and almost pulled off what would have been one of the goals of the season.
Creating contact with her defender Andrews rolled her body along with the bounce of the ball and fired a ferocious left-foot volley from the corner of the box; it rifled towards goal but hit the post and deflected away from the danger area.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128843967001
Willacy on her toes to deny Pountney an opener
After coming off the bench to replace Clare Wheeler early in the piece Pountney was keen to make an impact, and almost made it instantly with a shot from distance which put Willacy to the test.
But the Lady Reds’ shot-stopper was well up to the task, drifting back toward her line to collect the strike and deny Pountney what would have been a memorable goal.
Andrews puts Jets ahead from the spot
It seemed a dubious decision when the Lady Reds were penalised for a handball in the box but the Jets were more than happy to take it, as Andrews picked up the ball and placed it on the spot.
She stepped forward to hammer home the spot kick, sending Willacy diving to her left as the ball lashed into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128848787001
Pountney pounces to make it two
An inch-perfect cross from Collister looked set to hand Andrews her second goal of the game, but the Jets striker’s air swing handed Pountney the opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
And she did just that, taking one touch and lashing home Newcastle’s second to put them out of reach.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128850728001
Round 12
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Sunday, February 16
Venue: McKellar Park, 4:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: FOX Sports
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Click here to buy tickets
Match Centre
Newcastle Jets – BYE
