A brilliant late goal from substitute Charlotte Lancaster sealed a come-from-behind win for the Newcastle Jets as they defeated Sydney FC 2-1 at Leichhardt Oval.
The home side came into this contest having not scored in five matches but that all changed in the 18th minute care of a piece of brilliance from Amelia Cassar.
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Robbing Josie Allan of the ball inside the Jets half, Cassar strode forward, spotted Anna Leat off her line and then produced an outrageous lob from distance that sailed over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net.
The Jets dragged themselves level in the 30th minute though as two Sky Blues defenders attempted to challenge for the same ball, both subsequently missed, and there was Melina Ayres to lash home the equaliser via the post.
With confidence now restored after finding the equaliser, the Jets then had two good chances to take the lead into half time; first, American goalkeeper Heather Hinz thwarted Lauren Allan from close range before the Sydney FC shotstopper then pulled off a brilliant reflex save to prevent Haley Johnson from making it 2-1.
Looking to make a fast start after the break, Sydney FC had a great chance to restore their lead by midfielder Bianca Galic’s shot from close range was deflected over the bar thanks to a good block by Natasha Prior.
Hinz was then called into action twice in the space of 90 seconds and the American produced two more quality saves as she denied both Ayres and Josie Allan when both were put through one-on-one with the keeper.
The Sky Blues were an inch or so away from being awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute, however the referee correctly awarded a freekick after India Breier brought down Riley Tanner just outside the area, with Hana Lowry sending the subsequent set-piece narrowly over the bar.
Now piling on the pressure, Sydney FC began to create more and more chances with Galic flashing a low shot narrowly wide of the far post in the 87th minute.
However, completely against the run of play it was the Jets who snatched the three points care of an absolute howitzer from substitute Lancaster.
Collecting the ball just inside the Sydney FC half, Lancaster charged towards the box before unleashing a stunning left-footed drive that flew beyond Hinz and into the far corner of the net to seal a memorable win for the Jets.
The result means Sydney FC remain 11th on the ladder and have now gone six games without a win.
Meanwhile the win for the Jets sees them jump up into seventh spot on the ladder after ending a run of four straight defeats.
