History was made in Tarneit but Newcastle Jets did not read the script as they spoiled the party after taking down Western United 3-1 in the Liberty A-League.
For the first time in their history, Western United played an A-Leagues fixture at the Regional Football Facility, where former head coach and current Philippines boss Mark Torcaso was in attendance as well as John Aloisi and the Isuzu UTE A-League side.
But the visiting Jets crashed the party on Sunday – Elizabeth Copus-Brown, Lauren Allan and Sarina Bolden ensuring seventh-placed Newcastle stayed within three points of the top six.
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Western’s Aimee Medwin had cancelled out Copus-Brown’s opener Western in the 20th minute but Allan’s long-range stunner a minute later restored Newcastle’s lead before Philippines star Bolden put the game beyond doubt.
The result condemned Western to back-to-back defeat for the first time since March 2023 as they lost top spot to defending champions Sydney FC after Round 20.
It also ensured all four of the meetings between Western and Newcastle have been won by the team leading at half-time on the day, with the Jets 2-1 ahead on Sunday.
Western were missing Matildas star Chloe Logarzo (hip) and Adriana Taranto following a season-ending knee injury.
Newcastle made a fast start, silencing the home crowd within four minutes of the match starting. A sublime cross Sarina Bolden found Copus-Brown, who volleyed into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
That sparked Western into action and they had a couple of chances to restore parity.
Medwin created space for herself in the 12th minute, but her shot was too straight at Jets goalkeeper Isobel Nino, while Newcastle defender Natasha Prior cleared a shot off the line just two minutes later.
Western did equalise in the 20th minute when some more terrific work from Medwin saw her shot trickled over the line, with Avaani Prakash making sure there was no doubt the hosts had scored.
The Jets, however, restored their lead within a minute and it was a sensational goal from Allan, who beats Alyssa Dall’Oste from outside the penalty area.
Newcastle could have doubled their lead approaching the half-hour mark but Bolden’s shot took a deflection as it flashed just wide of the post.
There was also a goal-mouth scramble in Newcastle’s box after Nino spilled a ball, however, the visitors survived to preserve their advantage.
Western had more opportunities in the second half – a goal-bound effort was cleared in the 50th minute, while fans were off their seats when Prakash’s effort sailed wide of the post on the hour.
Western’s hopes of a comeback were all but dashed in the 66th minute when Bolden got on the end of a corner and headed into the back of the net.
Catherine Zimmerman did get on the end of a Hannah Keane pass but she was unable to find a way past Nino 21 minutes from the end.
