Newcastle Jets 1-0 Sydney FC
by Alice de Koster-Kitto (8/3/25)
Above: Sheridan Gallagher (right) celebrates with Lorena Baumann (22) after scoring the winning goal today. Photo: A-Leagues.
Newcastle Jets have earned consecutive wins for the first time this season, with a 1-0 victory over Sydney FC.
The triumph marks their second win over Sydney this season, and keeper Danielle Kryzyniak’s first clean sheet since the start of the campaign.
An early long strike from Tash Prior established Newcastle Jets as the dominant side early on, despite being collected by Sydney FC goalkeeper, Bethany Mason-Jones. The visitors quickly responded to this strike, however, when a clever cross from Princess Ibini met the foot of Caley Tallon-Henniker, whose strike ended just wide.
Although Newcastle remained technically dominant, continuing to hold the majority of the possession, the chances remained fairly even through the first half, and it was quite unclear where the first goal would come from, with end-to-end action keeping the match exciting and unpredictable.
Mackenzie Hawkseby looked to extend her wonderful campaign for Sydney with a shot from inside the box, assisted by Tallon-Henniker, that was ultimately saved at the right side.
Despite a number of chances, the match appeared disorganised, with both sides seeming unsure of their tactic at times, making for a quite messy style of play that resulted in an obvious frustration on the pitch, contributing to the lack of goals early on.
The 23rd minute saw Newcastle Jet’s Tash Prior find the net, however the match remained scoreless, as Prior was caught offside.
Sheridan Gallagher was close to breaking the stalemate in favour of the Jets with a long range effort, which was saved by Bethany Mason-Jones. Gallagher wasted no time taking another chance on the ball, opening the scoring with just two minutes left of regulation in the first half. The header from Josie Allan met the foot of Gallagher at very close range, who tapped it into the net, leaving the Jets in a 1-0 lead at half time.
Both sides entered the second half, looking to improve their overall performance, with Sydney FC re-entering the game especially determined to equalise.
Connors proved her vital impact on the pitch, making a great effort just minutes after entering the game, however the strike was just high, an issue that seems to be continual for the visitors during the match, as a chance from Mackenzie Hawkseby was failed in a similar way just minutes later.
After being treated for what appeared to be a knee injury, Newcastle Jets’ Josie Allan was replaced by Clare Adams, causing concern for the home side, as Allan had played a vital role in their dominance thus far.
The match saw yet another game-changing injury just minutes later, when a tussle inside the box left Sydney keeper Bethany Mason-Jones, treated and taken off for the remainder of the match.
Mason-Jones was replaced by 18-Year-Old debutant Jasmine Black, who through the remainder of the match, would prove herself deserving of a place in the squad going forward, as Newcastle fought hard to maintain their dominance.
Making an instant impact in the box, Black made an impeccable save at the 78th minute, when Deven Jackson’s effort came dangerously close to earning the Jets another point.
Despite five minutes of added time, and a number of chances right to the final whistle, the match ended 1-0 to Newcastle Jets, leaving the ladder as is with Jets in 11th place, while Sydney remains bottom of the lot in 12th.
Round 19 of the Ninja A-League will be crucial for both these sides, as they fight to make their way up the ladder, currently sitting in the bottom two spots.
Next week, Sydney FC will head home to Leichhardt Oval, to face Wellington Phoenix, while Newcastle Jets will go on the road to Perry Park to take on Brisbane Roar. Both of these matches will be a tough fight, and are set to be two riveting evenings of football.
Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (3-4-3): Krzyzaniak, Wilson, Cicco, Prior, Davis, Dundas, L Allan, Gallagher, Hoban, Baumann, J. Allan Substitutions: Breier, Rolley, Jackson, Robertson, Adams.
Scorer: Gallagher 42’.
SYDNEY FC (4-1-4-1): Mason-Jone, Lemon, Tobin, Thompson, Tumeth, Hollman, Dos Santos, Caspers, Ibini, Hawkesby, Tallon-Henniker. Substitutes: Black, Bryson, Farrow, Connors, Johnson.
Referee: Molly Godsell.
Attendance: 1,127.
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