Two moments of individual brilliance helped Sydney FC come from behind to complete an impressive 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The visitors trailed at half-time after Tara Andrews scored her second goal of the season, but two second half strikes of tremendous quality from Taylor Ray and Rachel Lowe ensured the Sky Blues capitalised on their overall ascendancy in the game to clinch all three points.
The Sky Blues dominated early; Teresa Polias was especially industrious and creative in midfield as the visitors called Claire Coelho into a number of saves in a barrage of offensive pressure.
After surviving the opening 15 minutes spent in large with their backs to the wall the hosts began to grow in strength, mounting promising attacking moves of their own before Rhianna Pollicina fired Newcastle’s first shot of the game straight into Jada Mathyssen-Whyman’s waiting gloves.
It was a warning of Newcastle’s intent to deal the Sky Blues a sucker punch which ultimately came to fruition when Andrews tucked away the opening goal of the game, following some domineering aerial play from her Jets teammates in the lead up to the chance.
Newcastle took the lead into the half-time break but their ascendancy was short-lived; just minutes after the restart 19-year-old Taylor Ray drew the visitors level with a clinical touch and shot, burying the ball from outside of the box into the bottom right corner.
One moment of quality drew Sydney level and another put them ahead, when Rachel Lowe emerged off the bench to put the Sky Blues 2-1 to the good in stunning fashion.
The midfielder’s first-time strike curled over the head of Coelho and rattled into the top left corner of goal, beating the scrambling Jets ‘keeper all ends up to give the visitors a lead they’d ultimately hold until the final whistle blew, surviving a late push from the Jets to take all three points from the entertaining contest.
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Key moments
Vine controls well but lacks the finish
Courtnee Vine produced a neat first touch from Ally Green’s cross to set up a clear-cut chance to score with just eight minutes on the clock.
But the final product was lacking from Vine, who put her excellent first touch to waste by poking the subsequent shot over the bar.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6221166823001
Ibini’s driving run leads to narrow miss
A clever back-heel from Polias when the ball seemed destined to run out for a throw in set Princess Ibini charging toward goal.
The in-form striker made a beeline toward goal and dispatched a shot of similar nature to her purposeful run; the ball zinged toward goal, barely lifting off the ground, and only narrowly missed the target.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6221165086001
Andrews benefits from aerial ping pong to score opener
Newcastle’s presence from set pieces came to the fore with five minutes to play in the opening half, when Andrews tapped home after a string of Jets headers in their attacking box.
Andrews won the initial header from a free kick out wide but the ball spilled out to Alisha Bass, who lobbed the ball back toward goal.
Chloe O’Brien rose highest to head the ball to Sophie Harding, who in turn nodded a pass to the waiting Andrews, who tucked the ball on the volley into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6221168957001
Ray produces the quality needed to peg one back for Sky Blues
Sydney were wasteful in front of goal in the first half, but a well-hit strike from Ray early in the second stanza put an end to the inaccuracy and drew the Sky Blues level.
Vine found Ray outside the box but the young midfielder still had it all to do; one touch took the ball onto her left and Ray struck the ball without hesitation toward goal, beating Coelho and burying the chance into the bottom right corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6221172554001
Lowe goes one better as Sydney deal Jets a knockout blow
After watching from the bench as Ray’s equalising goal sailed into the back of the net, Lowe stepped into the action in replace of Ray to score a goal of her own of even better quality as the Sky Blues completed their comeback in some style.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6221177750001
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