Newcastle Jets’ Westfield W-League finals hopes came to an end with a shock 4-2 loss to Perth Glory at 6PR Stadium..
Newcastle Jets’ Westfield W-League finals hopes came to an end with a shock 4-2 loss to Perth Glory at 6PR Stadium.
Going into the final round, the Jets needed to beat Perth and hope Adelaide United could complete an upset by taking the three points against Melbourne Victory, but goals to Katarina Jukic, Carys Hawkins, Elisa D’Ovidio and Marianna Tabain ensured Newcastle couldn’t complete their end of the bargain.
Lisa De Vanna and Alanna Kennedy both scored late consolation goals for the visitors, who trailed 1-0 at the break before succumbing to a second half Glory onslaught in a heated and entertaining match.
Perth’s second win of the season means they’ll avoid the wooden spoon as long as Adelaide doesn’t record an upset victory against Melbourne on Sunday.
After a strong start, Perth took the lead just nine minutes in when Jukic was left in too much space and the striker slotted home from an awkward angle.
De Vanna almost provided a quick response for Newcastle when the striker was played in but her tame shot was cleared off the line.
Perth then nearly doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when Alison Logue flapped at a corner and the ball fell to Shannon May on the edge of the box, only for the midfielder to narrowly fire wide.
After a late D’Ovidio tackle sparked a heated discussion between her and De Vanna, tempers again boiled over shortly before half-time when Emily Van Egmond shoved an opponent and then got involved in a shoving match with the winger.
Perth continued to control the game after half-time and the visitors barely escaped a spell of Glory dominance 15 minutes after the interval.
The hosts then got a reward for their pressure in the 64th minute when Tabian’s free kick from a tough angle cannoned off the crossbar and was then headed over the line by Hawkins.
Newcastle were visibly frustrated by the proceedings and a lapse of concentration in the 72nd minute dented their hopes even further, as a careless turnover played in D’Ovidio – arguably the Glory’s best performer- and she slotted it home.
De Vanna gave the Jets hope with her 76th minute goal, finishing calmly after she was impressively played through, but Tabain wrapped up the three points soon after with an impressive goal from the edge of the box.
Alanna Kennedy’s stoppage time goal cut the margin to two once again, but it was far too little too late.
