By Kieran Yap 3/3/24
MelindaJ Barbieri’s volleyed equaliser gave Newcastle a deserved point at home against Perth Glory. In an attacking game, filled with chances for both sides it was the Jets playmaker who scored the goal that could be crucial to their season.
Above: Newcastle and Perth Glory battle for possession. Photo: Newcastle Jets
Glory came into this match needing a win. Alex Epakis’s side has struggled for results since December, and after starting the season in top gear, they have slowly fallen down the rankings. Newcastle’s trajectory has been the opposite. They have gone under the radar for much of this season, but have steadily climbed. The introduction of Sarina Bolden has coincided with this improvement, but the newly assembled team has slowly adjusted first to each other and then to the resignation of former coach Gary van Egmond.
What they are now is a lighting quick attacking side, capable of more than just the wing play and pressing that they have previously been known for. Newcastle can now attack in a variety of ways and they played with a confidence that was exciting for neutrals.
The game did not begin according to coach Ryan Campbell’s plans. Glory took an early lead through Tash Rigby’s cross that was turned in for an own goal with a hesitant effort to block. Perth had numbers in the box, but none of them needed a touch as the ball trickled over the line.
Infront of their home fans, The Jets did not let their heads drop, and immediately went on the search to level the scores. Sophie Hoban had claims for a penalty turned down, and Emma Dundas forced Morgan Aquino into action. The Perth Glory stopper was the team’s saviour once again with a save from Bolden’s header, but as Barbieri began to scheme and Cass Davis continued to win the ball, it felt like Newcastle was in the ascendancy.
By the time Barbieri levelled the scores, Newcastle had shot on goal 31 times, when it arrived, it was an effort of pure quality from the new recruit. After controlling a cross from the right, Barbieri angled herself to rocket the ball home off her right foot. It was excellent technique, the kind of perfection required to beat an in-form Aquino.
With the result in the balance, both teams went on the attack. Substitute Sofia Sakalis added a noticeable spark when she came on. her late fizzing ball across the face of goal was begging to be finished but there were no Glory players attacking the space. Mille Farrow had been relatively well marshalled, but thought she had earned a penalty when she slalomed into the box. The referee had a better view than the cameras and waved the appeals away without hesitation.
Up the other end, a swift counter-attack found youngster Josie Allan in space at the back post. Her control was excellent and her finish on target, but Aquino pulled off another miracle to push the ball onto the woodwork and away for a corner.
The final whistle signalled an end to an exhilarating football match, and although the Jets attack was menacing and entertaining, the game was decided in midfield. Davis and Libby Copus Brown gained the upper hand over Isobel Dalton and Hana Lowry. They won the ball but also attacked themselves, preventing the Glory duo from showcasing their dynamic potential. On the bench, Epakis rolled the dice, withdrawing defender Claudia Mihocic and replacing her with attacker Sarah Cain. It momentarily gave Glory the extra number in attack, but without the steady supply that the Jets midfield was supplying it made little impact on the result.
Glory’s slump continues and it must be a mystery to those involved. They are not playing poorly by any stretch of the imagination and are never easy to beat but the results and the goals just are not falling their way.
Changes have been made. At times in this match they tried five at the back, and in flashes, Farrow looked back to her early season best after coming on as a subtitute, but the Jets were able to control the midfield and the lack of a specialist defensive midfielder meant that Newcastle could push Glory’s players back with consistency if not ease.
Newcastle were able to create numerous chances and while both teams would have felt unlucky not to score a second, The Jets looked more dangerous over the full 90. Both teams need to convert more regularly, but the Jets are starting to look quietly ominoius. They have a smoothly functioning midfield and a pure striker than on any other day would not have had Morgan Aquino in her way.
Lineups:
Newcastle Jets 3-4-3: Nino, Baumann, Prior, Karipidis, Dundas, Copus-Brown, Davis, Hoban, Allan, Barbieri, Bolden. Substitutes: Hammond, J Allan, Simon, Huynh, Dunbar
Scorers: Barbieri 77’
Perth Glory 4-2-2-2: Aquino, Foletta, Anton, Mihocic, Cowart, Rigby, Dalton, Lowry, Phonsongkham, Quezeda, Jale. Substitutes: Farrow, Sakalis, Cain, Stonehill, James
Scorers: Prior (OG) 2’
Referee: Isabella Mossin
Attendance: 1727
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