It just doesn’t get any easier for bottom side Newcastle Jets who this week must somehow tame Sydney FC’s intimidating attacking threat.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday 11 January 2014
Wanderers Oval, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 3pm
It just doesn-t get any easier for bottom side Newcastle Jets who this week must somehow tame Sydney FC-s intimidating attacking threat. The Sky Blues are top scorers in the league this term, despite still having two matches in hand. Historically, though, Newcastle have a better than expected record against their high-flying NSW counterparts, winning three and drawing two of their ten encounters.
The two sides met earlier in the season with Newcastle falling to a 4-0 defeat in Wollongong, although the Jets were in the contest until the latter stages when the champs netted three times in quick succession. The Jets, who lost Maddy Searl to a season-ending knee injury in Round 5, may be boosted by the return of youngster Grace McIntyre for her first appearance since the opening round. Coach Peter McGuiness will also hope to this week start defender Ciara McCormack with the Republic of Ireland international suffering from niggling injuries since arriving Down Under.
With 19 goals in just five matches, Sydney FC boast players all over the pitch capable of finding the net. Scarily for the Jets, Sydney managed to hit a near-record 8-2 win over Perth Glory last weekend despite missing several golden opportunities. Newcastle fans will be treated to watching some of the competition-s most dynamic players in action, including hat-trick heroine Caitlin Foord and good mate Sam Kerr who returns from a one-match suspension.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza Campbell (gk), 2. Hannah Brewer, 4. Siahn Bozanic, 5. Ciara McCormick, 6. Ashley Spina, 7. Gema Simon, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Rhali Dobson, 11. Grace McIntyre, 12. Hannah Beard, 13. Jasmin Courtenay, 14. Sophie Nenadovic, 16. Cassidy Davis, 17. Lauren Brown, 18. Clare Wheeler, 20. Claire Coelho (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Grace Macintyre (returns from injury), Clare Wheeler (promoted)
Outs: Stacey Day (omitted)
Unavailable: Maddy Searl (knee – season)
Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Liz Ralston, Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Trudy Camilleri, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Sam Kerr (returns from suspension), Trudy Camilleri (promoted)
Outs: Natalie Tobin (illness – one week)
Unavailable: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles – two weeks)
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