Newcastle Jets teenage striker Tara Andrews proved to be the heroine with her late brace at Campbelltown Stadium ensuring champions Sydney FC slumped to a 2-1 defeat – their first in 15 matches dating back to Round One last season.
Newcastle Jets teenage striker Tara Andrews proved to be the heroine with her late brace at Campbelltown Stadium ensuring champions Sydney FC slumped to a 2-1 defeat – their first in 15 matches dating back to Round One last season.
The dramatic winner came in the 90th minute with the 16-year-old incredibly scoring from inside her own half as she latched onto a clearance from goalkeeper Dimi Poulos with the long-range effort catching the Sky Blues custodian out of position.
Despite not displaying their usual fluency, a first-half strike from Leena Khamis had Sydney seemingly cruising towards all three points until the introduction of Andrews on 72 minutes.
The Australian U-17 striker equalised 12 minutes after entering the fray before then inflicting an unthinkable defeat on the Westfield W-League heavyweights with an unforgettable finish.
The Sky Blues had won all three matches this term scoring four goals in each, while the Jets went into the contest on the back of a demoralising 4-0 home defeat against Brisbane Roar.
Jets coach Wayne O’Sullivan made four changes from the side which was humbled seven days earlier, while Sydney FC were boosted by the return of reigning PFA Women-s Footballer of the Year Servet Uzunlar, who was coming back from a successful stint with Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark.
The first half was played at a good tempo despite the warm conditions with Sydney generally restricted to half chances against a well-organised and determined Jets line-up.
Sydney FC skipper Heather Garriock came close to breaking the deadlock but her low shot was well blocked by American goalkeeper Allison Lipsher.
Despite struggling to break down the home side, the Jets had strong claims for a penalty when Renee Cartwright went to ground under challenge after latching onto a Hayley Crawford cross.
Any pain the Jets were feeling about the decision was accentuated within seconds as Sydney broke the deadlock.
Nicole Cross was dispossessed by Khamis on the byline with the prolific Sydney striker allowed far too much latitude as she comfortably tucked her shot inside Lipsher’s near post just past the half-hour mark.
Garriock then grazed the crossbar with a fierce effort two minutes before the interval.
The Jets started the second half in enthusiastic fashion, but they were only able to create half openings, while at the other end, the Sydney forward line of Kyah Simon and Khamis looked dangerous and were willing to fire on goal whenever they had a sight.
The Jets were only rarely able to find the final pass in Sydney’s defensive third and it was a surprise when Andrews latched onto a loose ball to impressively score off the underside of the crossbar with six minutes remaining.
Sydney-s enigmatic Catherine Cannuli tried an audacious long-range lob as the stunned Sydneysiders attempted to recover, while fellow substitute Caitlin Foord spurned an opportunity with only Lipsher to beat.
Then came Andrews’ spectacular winner, although the Jets still had to survive four nervy minutes of injury time.
The result lifts the Jets to six points, just three behind Sydney who had been threatening to skip clear of the rest of the league.
Sydney FC 1 (Khamis 31)
Newcastle Jets 2 (Andrews 84, 90)
