Newcastle Jets 3-3 Adelaide United
By Alyce Collett 8/1/24
Above: Claire Adams after equalising in the dying minutes for Newcastle Jets. Photo: A-Leagues.
In a game full of twists and turns, Adelaide have played out a thrilling three all draw against The Jets at the Number 2 Sportsground.
In at times atrocious conditions, Adelaide were 3-1 up thanks to goals from Fiona Worts, Emily Condon, and Lucia Leon, but the Jets never stopped fighting and eventually evened up proceedings with mere moments to spare thanks to goals from Josie Allan, Deven Jackson and Claire Adams.
Both sides showed positive signs early, getting shots away early. Despite the horrible weather in Newcastle it was pretty free flowing football, with plenty of end to end action.
However Adelaide did not take long to get on the scoreboard, with Worts ultimately chipping Tiahna Robertson in the Newcastle net mere minutes into the match, making the most of some excellent build up play from the Reds that involved Leon and Chelsie Dawber.
As the half progressed Newcastle certainly did have its fair share of attacking chances, but the accuracy of their attempts proving to be a big issue for them.
Missing the crucial Natasha Prior was only making things harder for the hosts. They did have some very good chances at various points in the half, but thanks to the woodwork and some stellar keeping from Claudia Jenkins, the Jets were unable to slot any of them in.
Adelaide meanwhile had better accuracy in front of goal with their attacks looking more dangerous and they were more attentive on the ball in their attacking half, so when they did turn it over they were able to get the ball back quicker than the Jets were up the other end.
As the half progressed and the weather got worse the game evened up as both sides continued to rack up the attacking chances but could not convert any of them. For the Jets, Lauren Allen was really working hard to try and create chances for her side, while for the Reds Dawber and Worts continued to be really dangerous close to goal.
Ultimately Adelaide went into half time with that one goal advantage, but the match felt a lot more even than it had earlier in the half.
It was Newcastle who looked the more dangerous side early in the second half, racking up more of the attacking play. However, in the tough and unappealing conditions the Jets were struggling to get the power in their shots at goal to ultimately make the most of them, but they did have to battle against the wind.
As the half progressed and the weather did not improve the match started to get a bit spicy, with tempers starting to flare and Matilda McNamara, Sarah Morgan and Sheridan Gallagher all picking up yellow cards as a consequence.
For much of the half, it did not look like either side was going to change the scoreline, but suddenly out of nowhere Condon worked the ball round several Newcastle defenders and slotted through Adelaide’s second goal, which really was against the run of play.
Moments later Newcastle finally found the back of the net after Josie Allan – who had only been on the field for a couple of minutes – rocketed one into the back of the net from a pretty tough angle.
Not even two minutes later Adelaide restored their two goal lead after Leon headed in a Condon cross perfectly.
Newcastle never stopped attacking and were rewarded with a second goal after Jackson headed in the ball. As time wore on, it became simply a matter of could the Jets beat the clock to level the scores.
With just 90 seconds left in stoppage time, Adams slotted through the hosts’ third goal and rescued a point for her side.
Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (3-4-2-1): Robertson, Wilson, Cicco, Davis, Dundas, Copus-Brown, Jackson, L.Allan, Gallagher, Baumann, Walandouw. Substitutes: Hammond, Gooch, J.Allan, Adams, Boertje.
Scorers: J.Allan 76’, Jackson 84’, Adams 90+3’.
ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, León, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, Condon, Morgan, Healy, Dawber, Worts. Substitutes: Grove, Sasaki, Kirkby, Mullan, Bowler.
Scorers: Worts 4’, Condon 74’, Leon 79’.
Referee: Kelly Jones
Attendance: 923.
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