Western United 2-0 Newcastle Jets
by Alice de Koster-Kitto (3/1/25).
Above: Kahli Johnson shields the ball. Photo: Adrian Geremia for Impetus.
Western United has bounced back after a historic 8-2 defeat against Brisbane Roar last week, in an electrifying meeting against Newcastle Jets Ironbark Fields.
Both sides went into the match looking to redeem themselves after suffering heavy defeats in recent weeks, making it a contentious meeting from the first touch.
It appeared early on that it would be Newcastle who were more likely to control the proceedings. High pressure from Western United maintained the intensity and kept their visitors on edge despite having a slight upper hand at the start.
Melissa Taranto’s defensive interception prevented Sheridan Gallagher from opening the scoring in the ninth minute, with an extremely close shot that seemed it would almost certainly reach the back of the net.
After a concerted effort from both sides, with fairly equal passing accuracy and continuous shots that made for an intense first half, the match officials called for two minutes of added time.
Newcastle’s tactical and aggressive defense meant that although a Western United goal seemed imminent, the match remained scoreless at halftime.
The top of the second half saw Western United take control of the ball. Although the hosts became increasingly dominant, Newcastle held their own, and at this point, the match could still go either way.
Newcastle’s attempts were continually intercepted, especially by Western captain Chloe Logarzo, who was never hesitant to use her experience to intercept in difficult areas of the pitch.
The scoring was opened by Western United, when Johnson bundled the ball just over the line, after a clean delivery from Julia Sardo. There was much disagreement over the goal, however, as referee Beth Rattray pointed for a foul, although she ultimately signalled the goal.
As the half wore on, the momentum was lost by the visitors, as it became increasingly difficult for them to keep up, while searching for an equaliser.
Western United doubled their lead in the 79th minute, when Johnson’s header from Kiara De Domizio’s cross, earned Johnson a well-deserved brace.
The intensity picked up during the four minutes of stoppage time, when Newcastle Jets’ Tash Prior, received an immediate red card following an incident involving a crowd member. The penalty was followed with an argument on the pitch, which caused a delay in play, and resulted in a further three yellow cards.
The last moments of the play, saw Johnson search desperately for a hattrick, although the back of the net was not found again, and the match ended in a 2-0 victory to Western United.
To view the photo galleries from Impetus’ Adrian Geremia at Ironbark Park, check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball.
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-2-3-1): Dall’oste, Sardo, Mihocic, Maher, Grove, Medwin, Roach, M.Taranto, Johnson, Logarzo, Zimmerman. Substitutes: Lincoln, De Domizio, Ibarguen, A.Taranto, Dehakiz.
Scorers: Johnson 59’, 79’.
NEWCASTLE JETS (3-5-2): Wilson, Cicco, Davis, Copus-Brown, Jackson, L.Allan, Gallagher, Hoban, Baumann, Robertson. Substitutes: Breier, J.Allan, Walandouw, Adams, Boertje.
Referee: Beth Rattray.
Attendance: 531.
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