A vintage Michelle Heyman performance has earned Canberra United a comfortable 3-0 win against the Newcastle Jets.
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The legendary forward struck twice, created another goal and was in generally lethal touch on Friday night, winding back the clock as United continued their strong form late in the A-League Women season.
In rainy conditions at Viking Park, Allira Toby opened the scoring on 11 minutes before 33-year-old Heyman’s double effectively put the game to bed before halftime.
Toby was first on the scene when the ball spilled loose in the box following a burrowing run from Heyman, clinically side-footing it home past Jets keeper Claire Coelho.
Heyman didn’t have to wait too long for a goal of her own, scoring on 29 minutes when a Lauren Kier corner was headed on by Ally Haran for the all-time A-League Women’s record goalscorer to nod home from close range.
A poor touch by Jet Tiana Jaber let Heyman through on goal again in first-half stoppage time, able to slide it past Coelho for 3-0.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Ashlee Brodigan summed up Newcastle’s night early in the second half, pulling a golden opportunity wide from close range instead of earning her team a score lifeline.
Coelho, who impressed in the second half with a number of crucial saves, denied Heyman her hat-trick on 70 minutes, using her foot to keep out an effort from close range.
Outside of Brodigan’s gilt-edged chance, the Jets rarely threatened 17-year-old United keeper Chloe Lincoln.
It continued United’s hot form, now with seven of a possible nine points from their last three matches.
They also kept a clean sheet for just the third time in 12 games this season, with strong play from Kier and Haran highlighting the defensive display.
The game marked Jets captain Cassidy Davis’ 108th consecutive appearance, equalling the all-time A-Leagues mark shared by Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Steve Ugarkovic.
Davis has not missed a game since she debuted in 2013.
