By Kieran Yap 18/11/24
Above: Cassidy Davis at the centre of celebrations after her decisive goal.
Newcastle Jets 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
Newcastle Jets have won their first game of the season, with a 1-0 defeat of Wellington Phoenix at home. A Cass Davis wonder goal was the difference between the two teams that played with attacking intent, although without the cutting edge in the penalty box.
Newcastle began the game in a positive fashion. Sheridan Gallagher was in the starting lineup for the first time since returning to the A-League Women, and made up an attack with Lauren Allan and Deven Jackson either side of her.
Allan in particular enjoyed plenty of space on the right, with Newcastle identifying that early and trying to find the winger as quickly as possible. Both sides experienced some nervy moments deep in defence when playing it out from the back very nearly went disastrously wrong.
Gallagher continued her menacing form. The former Young Matildas captain dropped deep often to either hold up play or move the ball forward. Wellington were alert to the threat she poses and focussed on preventing her from shooting to good effect.
Out wide, Wellington had bigger problems. They have still not adapted to the losses of Michaela Foster and Hailey Davidson in the fullback roles, and Newcastle’s wingers were enjoying the opportunities to run and whip in crosses. Jackson almost opened the scoring with a stinging left footed strike from 18 yards. Vilao was forced into an excellent save after the first shot was blocked by the defence.
Davis’s goal came late in the second half. On first viewing it looks like a cross that floated in, but on replay, it was more likely that she meant it.
After receiving the ball from a throw in, Davis was under little pressure. The Jets captain is not best known for prolific goal scoring or large numbers of assists, but Wellington should have been aware that when Davis scores, it is usually a goal of the season contender.
Davis shaped to return the ball along the side line and used that time to look up and assess crossing options. With nobody in attacking the central areas or far post, she took aim, and struck a dipping shot that caught everybody by surprise.
The goal was worthy of winning any game, and proved to be decisive, but Davis was also typically industrious throughout, snuffing out midfield threats and helping sweep the ball forward repeatedly for The Jets.
Wellington had opportunities too. Minutes before Davis’s effort, they had a goal chalked off for offside and Annalie Longo missed a great opportunity to put her side ahead. Olivia Ferguson had a chance to equalise late, but the substitute’s 83rd minute header went wide.
Wellington’s tough afternoon continued beyond the loss, with Longo suffering a suspected fractured eye late in the match. She is unlikely to play next week.
The results leaves Wellington on the bottom of the table with three defeats from three games. They lost plenty of talent in the off-season, but need to find a way forward fairly urgently now. Mebae Tanaka adds an extra bit of spark and invention when she is on the pitch, and The Phoenix fans will be wanting her involved from the start next week.
Newcastle looked assured in the way that they want to play, even if they are still missing a true penalty box predator like Sarina Bolden or Melina Ayres. Once they get through midfield they are a frightening side, and seem intent on doing that as quickly as possible, while still keeping the ball on the deck. The goal was a moment of genius, but they could easily have had one or two before that. How new signing Gia Vicari’s goal line header stayed out is one of those mysteries of the universe, but the chances will continue to come for her, and she looks like a lively striker.
Next week, at Unite Round, Wellington face an in-form Adelaide United, while Newcastle will go up against a Western United looking for avenge a 4-1 loss to Melbourne Victory.
Lineups:
Newcastle Jets: Robertson, Cicco, Prior, Baumann, Davis, Dundas, Allan, Hoban, Wilson, Jackson, Gallagher. Substitutes: Vicari, Hammond, Gooch, Adama, Boertje.
Goals: Davis 70’
Wellington Phoenix: Vilao, Brazendale, Jaber, Barry, McMeeken, Longo, McCutcheon, Elliot, Whinham, Main, Jale. Substitutes: Ferusson, McMillan, Tanaka, Wall, Feinberg-Danielli.
Referee: Bec Mackie
Attendance: TBD
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