Newcastle Jets have their first win of the Westfield W-League season after edging Perth Glory 2-1 in a free-flowing contest.
In a match that saw both sides fail to make the most of their opportunities, it was ultimately the Jets that did enough as they notched their first ever win in the Western Australia capital.
The Jets found the opener on 23 minutes as Nikki Flannery volleyed home at close range from Teigan Collister’s cross.
A tenacious Tara Andrews then struck what proved to be the decisive goal just seconds into the second half, combining a strong run into the box with a firm finish into the roof of the goal.
Glory’s new Spanish import, Celia, gave the hosts a way back with a strong angled finish in her Westfield W-League debut in the 57th minute.
However, it proved mere consolation as the Jets wrested control in the final quarter hour – with even Eliza Campbell’s penalty save from Jenna Kingsley in the closing stages not enough to further inspire her teammates.
By contrast, the result see Glory without a point from their opening three games of the season – their worst start to a campaign since the 2008/09 season.
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Key moments
An open start to the contest delivered early promise for the hosts as Glory duo Shannon May and Caitlin Doeglas fired high of the target early.
The Jets’ first chance came approaching the quarter hour as Andrews drew a save from Eliza Campbell from distance, however Celia replied immediately for the Glory with a close attempt less than a minute later.
With the match settling into its rhythm, it was the visitors that drew first blood midway through the half. Flannery delivered a composed volleyed finish from Collister’s pin-point cross on the back of a swift passing movement from the Jets.
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Flannery threatened again on 28 minutes with an off-target effort but the Glory also remained a danger as Morgan Andrews headed just wide from Jamie-Lee Gale’s cross.
Opportunities continued to present at both ends as Celia and Collister both shot wide either side of the 34th minute, before Doeglas fired across the face of goal not long after.
The Jets spurned the best chance to double their lead prior to the break in the 40th minute when Kingsley headed over at close range after being picked out by Flannery’s well-placed cross.
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A half-time shower slickened the surface but it did not douse the tempo as the Jets doubled their lead just seconds after the restart.
Andrews combined with Gema Simon to force her way into the penalty area before stepping inside to open room for a pin-point finish in off the crossbar.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113896124001
The Jets threatened to run away with it as they forged further chances through Flannery – the dynamic youngster heading wide from a set-piece before picking out Collister to draw a stop from Campbell.
However, the balance was altered soon after as Celia delivered a strong finish on a challenging angle to half the deficit in the 57th minute, assisted by May.
With the tension rising, the chances proved harder to come by. Flannery blazed high in the 65th minute for the Jets before Glory’s Julia Sardo drew a save with a header from a corner on 71 minutes.
Newcastle continued to fail to make the most of their opportunities when Flannery saw her one-on-one finish clip the outside of the post with a quarter hour remaining after being released by Kingsley.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113900026001
Kingsley had her own opportunity to give her team breathing distance in the 80th minute after Hana Lowry hand-balled in the box, however her penalty attempt was pushed away by Campbell down low.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113894063001
A smattering of half-chances followed at both ends of the pitch but neither side could produce a clear goal-scoring chance in the final exchanges.
Perth Glory return to Dorrien Gardens in Round 5 to host Canberra United on Friday, 13 December. The match kicks off at 7.15pm local, 10.15pm AEDT. Get your tickets here.
Find out more information at the Match Centre here
Newcastle Jets entertain Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 5. The match on Sunday, 15 December kicks off at 4pm AEDT. Get your tickets here.
Find out more information at the Match Centre here
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