Newcastle Jets have taken a point from Melbourne City FC for the first time in their history after an epic 1-1 draw.
Former Jet Emily van Egmond opened the scoring with a blistering first-time strike in the 22nd minute, but Newcastle equalised through Teigan Collister’s superb half-volley strike midway through the second half.
As the game opened up, both teams had several golden chances to take the lead.
However, a mix of great goalkeeping and misfortune (as shots hit the woodwork) meant each team had to settle for a point.
Watch highlights below and see how the game played out!
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Key moments
Van Egmond’s superb strike against former club
Newcastle Jets had early attempts on goal, but it was City who opened the scoring as van Egmond made the perfect start to life as a City player with her strike in the 22nd minute.
Steph Catley’s pass to Claire Emslie was laid off for van Egmond to hit first time from outside the box and into bottom left hand corner of the goal.
It was van Egmond’s first goal in over the year after not scoring the Jets during the 2018/19 season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6105054514001
Jets fail to convert great chances
Towards the end of the half, Newcastle worked their way back into the match and created a couple of close chances.
First, Gema Simon got the ball to Tara Andrews, but her right-footed shot from outside the box went high over the goal.
Then, with minutes left in the first period, Simon fired a left-footed half-volley over the bar from inside the box after she was set up by Nikki Flannery.
Andrews came close to equalising for Jets 10 minutes into the second half when she was played in on goal by Flannery, but the attacker’s shot didn’t trouble City goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
Catley rattles the post
City’s Westfield Matildas fullbacks pushed for another goal for their side, with both players creating golden chances.
Ellie Carpenter’s burst into the box almost forced an own goal, before Catley’s low shot from outside the area rattled the inside of the post and deflected to safety.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6105053834001
Jets equalise with a screamer
But just minutes later, Newcastle were back in the match after a scorching strike from Teigan Collister.
City’s attempted clearance went straight to the Jet, who took a touch and then unleashed a half-volley from outside the box and into the top corner of Williams’ goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6105047777001
Golden chances for both teams
City came very close to retaking the lead in the 72nd minute when Carpenter was played into open space. She ran to the by-line before her launching a ball across the face of goal to Milica Mijatovic. However, but Mijatovic’s first-time shot hit the side netting.
Moments later, the Jets had their own golden chance to take the lead when Flannery struck a shot from a corner into the bar.
It bounced off defenders, but Williams was able to scramble and dive on the ball to prevent a goal.
Another chance went begging for City on the 75th minute when Catley’s cross found Emslie at the front post, who was unable to direct her shot on goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6105059493001
It was the Jets who almost took the lead through Andrews’ first-time chip over the goalkeeper from a misdirected City header, but the ball bounced just wide of the goal.
Substitute Paige Kingston-Hogg then had a chance to win the game for the Jets with her first touch in the Westfield W-League, but her shot was blocked.
That was followed by an attacking header from City’s Emslie, which hit the bar of the Jets goal and was swept up by the goalkeeper.
The Jets went down the other end again and Jenna Kingsley had a shot on goal, but a diving save from Williams ensured City left with a point as the game ended 1-1.
