A stunning strike from MelindaJ Barbieri has secured a point for Newcastle Jets as they drew 1-1 with Perth Glory at Maitland Sports Ground in the Liberty A-League.
Perth started the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded for their efforts just two minutes in after a cross from the right ricocheted off two Newcastle defenders before finding it’s way into the net on Sunday.
Newcastle clawed their way back into the contest in the second half as Barbieri scored a spectacular half-volley.
The Jets then thought they’d won it deep into stoppage time, however Glory goalkeeper Morgan Aquino thwarted Josie Allan with an incredible save to ensure it finished in a draw.
The result leaves Newcastle sat in sixth place and holding on to the last finals position, one place ahead of Perth who sit just below them in seventh.
Perth came flying out of the blocks in Maitland and took the lead after just two minutes when Natasha Rigby’s cross from the right took two deflections before settling into the back of the net with defender Natasha Prior credited with the own goal.
Newcastle had a great chance to level things up in the 19th minute but in-form striker Sarina Bolden was unable to stab her effort beyond the advancing Aquino, who spared her defence’s blushes after a cheap turnover in a dangerous position.
Midfielder Emma Dundas then went close to pulling the Jets level in the 61st minute, cutting back onto her right foot inside the box but couldn’t keep her shot down as it flew narrowly over Aquino’s crossbar.
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Perth substitute Sofia Sakalis then had a golden chance to extend the Glory’s lead after she was put through on goal by Grace Jale, however the winger was denied by an outstanding block from Prior and that missed chance would come back to haunt them.
Three minutes later, Barbieri sent the home crowd into raptures, firing an unstoppable half-volley from just inside the box past Aquino and into the net to make it 1-1 with what was the Jets’ 31st shot of the game.
Perth then had Aquino to thank for securing them a point in Maitland as the shot-stopper produced a contender for save of the season, somehow tipping Josie Allan’s close-range effort onto the bar and away to safety.
