Sydney FC are through to the Westfield W-League semi-finals after a hard fought draw against the Newcastle Jets at a sodden Lambert Park on Saturday.
Goals to Amy Harrison and Kyah Simon cancelled out Dobson and Andrews strikes to ensure the teams shared the points and Sydney FC’s advancement with their table position uncatchable with the game left to play.
Possession exchanged hands countless times in the opening half as both sides struggled to retain the ball.
Jasmyne Spencer was close to opening the scoring for the Sky Blues with a volley from deep while Crawford should have done better moments earlier as she headed over the bar when found free in the Sydney FC penalty area.
The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute as Amy Harrison put the Sky Blues in front with a sweet volley from inside the area.
Newcastle were unable to clear a Sky Blues corner and the ball fell to Harrison just inside the area. The 18 year old took one touch on her chest before volleying the ball into the top corner to send the home fans into raptures.
The Newcastle Jets went in at the break one goal down and they had the prime opportunity after the restart to level as they were awarded a penalty two minutes in.
Emily Van Egmond stepped up for the spot kick but she blazed her effort over the bar as the rain began to poor in Leichhardt.
Three minutes later the Jets got their goal as Dobson equalised for the visitors.
Receiving the ball on the left side of the box she expertly turned her marker before firing in a wicked shot at the near post to level the match.
A delay in the match didn’t disrupt the momentum as both sides went in search of a winner after the restart with the ball holding up on the soaked surface.
Andrews’ took her chance and put Newcastle ahead in the 70th minute leaving hearts in mouths for the Sydney FC supporters.
An inviting floated ball from deep drifted into the Sky Blues penalty area and Andrews was on hand to leap tallest and nod the ball into the net past a stranded Dumont in goals.
It was all out attack from Sydney FC from then on in as they continuously pumped balls towards the strikers in search of a finals sealing equaliser.
That equaliser came in the 80th minute as Kyah Simon jinked her way into the box and was brought down when taking on two defenders.
The Matilda stepped up to convert the spot kick and send Dan Barrett’s squad through to the semi-finals while for Newcastle Jets their season is over.
