Newcastle Jets 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Above: Lauren Allan is embraced by teammates after her goal. Photo: A-League
Newcastle Jets have extended their unbeaten streak against the Western Sydney Wanderers, defeating the visitors 1-0 in their home opener at No.2 Sportground. The victory was a historical one for the Jets, as they had not gone three matches unbeaten to start their season in the club’s Ninja A-League history.
The match was an end-to-end battle from the start, with fairly even possession, and both sides were able to easily move the ball into their attacking end. The scene was set for a combative afternoon of football within the first five minutes. There was great defending for both the Wanderers and Jets, so no real chance could be found at the top of the game, despite the attacking strength across the pitch.
Ayres had the first real chance for the Jets, striking the ball from outside the box, straight to the hands of Khamis. Although the goal was missed, the Jets continued to dominate and created several chances in short succession, with Ayres at the forefront of the majority.
Play was paused for a short time as Ella Buchanan went down with a knee injury, following a clash with Lauren Allan. Although it looked quite concerning, Buchanan made her way back onto the pitch, but not before the Wandeers were forced to go with 10 players momentarily.
While the Wanderers’ 11th player was being assessed, the Jets took the opportunity to capitalise on their advantage and continued to get dangerously close to goal. Cass Davis made a clever cross to Ayres, who took a header from distance, which got close, but was saved by Khamis.
Kelli Brown got concerningly close to netting the Jets’ second, pressing Khamis. From some angles, it looked as though the ball went in. However, a touch from Khamis hit the ball out of the danger zone, as Brown took the strike just slightly too early to get past the Wanderers keeper.
Holly Caspers took a shot for the Wanderers, which was just wide of the goal, and was hit away by Jets keeper Anna Leat. The chance, however, gave the visitors a foot in the game that had thus far been dominated by the Jets.
Newcastle Jets opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, with a shot from Lauren Allan, in her 100th appearance for the Jets. The goal was off a corner that initially didn’t look like it would amount to a real chance. However, a well-timed run from Allan towards a Cass Davis pass allowed her to tap it in. It is Allan’s 4th goal against the Wanderers, and 22nd of her career.
As stoppage time approached, possession remained in favour of the Jets; however
The Wanderers managed to keep their attack alive after the opening goal and break down the Jets’ block, as it seemed increasingly likely that they would find an equaliser.
After 3 minutes of added time, there were no more goals to be found, leaving the Jets in the lead at the break.
There was a delay in play early in the half, as Alana Cerne went down with a foot injury, which seemed quite concerning. Cerne was taken off and replaced byYing Wang, who made her Western Sydney Wanderers debut.
There was even further disruption almost immediately after, when Tash Prior was taken down with a head injury, following a clash with Holly Caspers, who was also momentarily taken off. Both were cleared to re-enter the pitch shortly after.
Play remained fast-paced and aggressive, with chances at both ends, and possession was almost completely equal. Both sides came into the game in good form, both defensively and on the attack, which continued to make it difficult for anything to really come of these chances, making for a tiring, highly contentious meeting, but without a lot to show for the effort.
Newcastle had a good chance to double their lead as Ayres took a free kick in a dangerous area, but the ball was well defended by Wanderers, who immediately ran full force into a counterattack. Alyssa Ng-Saad made a great run towards the goal, as she searched for her first Ninja A-League goal and the Wanderers’ equaliser; however, it was intercepted.
Malina Ayres got dangerously close to doubling the Jets’ lead at the tail end of the match, striking the ball from distance. It looked as though it was certain to go in; however, it was slightly too high and hit the crossbar while simultaneously being hit away by Khamis.
The match did not slow down in the 6 minutes of added time, as Ayres took another outstanding shot towards the Wanderers’ goal; however, Khamis responded with an eraully showstopping save.
There was a string of excellent last-minute attempts, most of which came from the Jets; however, the Wanderers continued to fight back, as it looked like they may manage to take a point up until the last minute.
Claudia Cicco was taken off the pitch during extended stoppage time, leaving the Jets down a player after making all their subs earlier in the second half.
Despite their efforts, there were no more goals to be found, and Newcastle Jets took the win, as the score remained 1-0 at the whistle.
It was a historic win for the Newcastle Jets, as the hosts have never had a 3-game unbeaten streak in league history.
Round 5 will see Newcastle Jets remain at home to take on Brisbane Roar, while the Wanderers’ next match will be a Sydney derby on December 7th.
NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Leat, Wilson, Allan, Prior, Cicco, Copus-Brown, Davis, Dundas, Ayres, Brown Allan Substitutes: Ritchie, Karipidis, Adams, Breier, Page, Collins.
Goals: Allan 26’
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-2-1): Khamis, Buchanan, Cerne, Hooks, Harrison, Price, Chessari, Matos, Harada, So-Eun, Caspers. Substitutes: Edwards, Wang, Barker, Fazzari, DeFazio, Ng-Saad
Referee: Molly Godsell
Attendance: 1,413.
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