A stunning goal from Grace Maher has helped Western United seal a hard-fought point on the road, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle Jets in Unite Round.
With Jets keeper Tiahna Robertson and her opposite number Chloe Lincoln both enjoying impressive first-half displays in the Ninja A-League, the deadlock was eventually broken thanks to a powerful effort from Newcastle defender Claudia Cicco in the second half on Saturday.
However, Western would walk away from Kogarah with what they will feel is a deserved point thanks to a stunning strike from Maher, who let fly from fully 30 metres out as her effort flew past Robertson and into the back of the net.
The Jets dealt with an early scare in the game with recently called-up CommBank Matildas defender Natasha Prior going down after taking a big kick on his ankle from teammate Tiahna Robertson as she attempted to clear the ball.
Western were then presented with the chance to open the scoring after just 10 minutes when Sasha Grove’s effort struck the outstretched hand of Cicco, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.
Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo was tasked with dispatching the spot-kick but subsequently rattled the base of the post with her effort as the deadlock remained intact.
Named in the starting line-up for the first time since joining Western United, Lincoln was on kept on her toes, providing a sharp save to deny Sophie Hoban after defender Alana Cerne had previously cleared a Jets effort off the goal line.
Lincoln was then called into action once again, this time on the stroke of half-time, denying forward Sheridan Gallagher the opener, producing a sharp save at her near post.
Jets keeper Robertson then produced an outstanding save soon after the break, sprawling to her left hand side to tip a long-range effort from Western’s Sara Eggesvik round the post.
Fast becoming a battle of the two keepers, Lincoln then produced two good saves – both from the boot of Gallagher to keep the score level.
The first, in the 65th minute, saw Lincoln smother the ball at the feet of Gallagher to prevent the forward from scoring a tap-in before she then thwarted her again, this time when one-on-one, however the deadlock would soon be broken.
Drifting across the edge of the area, Hoban laid the ball on a platter for Cicco to strike and the defender’s effort dully fizzed beyond Lincoln and into the back of the net to give the Jets the lead.
In a worry for Jets boss Ryan Campbell, the influential Gallagher was withdrawn in the 76th minute, deemed unable to continue after suffering a leg injury was challenging for the ball.
Now desperately searching for an equaliser, Western finally pulled themselves on level terms thanks to an absolute rocket from Maher.
Taking aim from close to 30 metres out, Maher sent a stunning strike beyond the despairing dive of Robertson and into the top corner to make it 1-1.
In yet another injury scare for the Jets, substitute Lara Gooch was then forced to leave the field after coming on due to suffering an ankle injury, leaving the Jets down to 10 players.
However the Jets held on with 10-players to secure a point in what was an intense Unite Round contest at Jubilee Stadium.
