Before this season, Newcastle Jets had never won a Liberty A-League Finals fixture but that changed in Saturday night’s Elimination Final.
Newcastle had waited 16 years to tick off the achievement at the Regional Football Facility thanks to Philippines Sarina Bolden, who scored a first-half brace though it was cancelled out by goals from Western duo Alana Cerne and Catherine Zimmerman.
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Melina Ayres – who won a pair of Championships and a Premiership with Melbourne Victory – came off the bench to put the Jets ahead in extra time before Sophie Hoban sealed the historic result in Melbourne’s west.
“The girls are unreal,” said former Victory star Ayres, who left the club for Newcastle at the start of 2023-24, via AAP.
“We tried so hard and we’ve had troubles with facilities and everything that’s going on with the club and the girls have just dug so deep.
“This is a first win in a final series for Newcastle, so that’s unreal. I’m so happy to be proud of that part of the history.
“I came here wanting to do what we’ve done today and I just want to keep it rolling.”
The Jets, who have won four straight games, are now through to a two-legged Semi-Final against City.
Newcastle will host the first game in the tie (April 19-21) before travelling to Melbourne for the return leg (April 26-28), with a spot in the Grand Final (May 4) on the line.
