Newcastle jets 0-1 Canberra United
By Kieran Yap 27/12/25
Above: Sienna Dale is mobbed by teammates following her winning strike. Photo: Canberra United.
Sienna Dale’s 93rd minute goal has kept Canberra United in top spot after an entertaining battle with the Newcastle Jets at No. 2 Sportsground. The result was Canberra’s sixth consecutive game without a defeat and keeps them a point clear of Melbourne Victory with a game in hand.
Antoni Jagarinec’s side arrived in Newcastle following a hectic month of football. After winning three games in the space of a week against Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne City, they escaped with a draw after two lightning delays and an equaliser at the death against Central Coast Mariners.
Canberra fans would have been hoping for a comparatively simple match, but their drama filled season continued with Dale’s last-minute heroics.
The Jets have had a more mixed December. An excellent 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar was followed up by a loss by a similar margin to Melbourne Victory. It was a game they deserved more from and Stephen Hoyle’s team needed to respond against the high-flying United to re-establish their finals credentials.
In an entertaining match, Newcastle sat relatively deep, with numbers around the edge of the box. They looked to break on the counterattack but could not find an easy outlet with Melina Ayres pushed deep by Canberra’s defence. Josie Allan was deployed in a playmaker role, and created Newcastle’s best opportunities while Claudia Cicco was excellent in defence.
Canberra United attacked with more regularity and intent, but could not find the final ball or space to get a good shot on goal. Their best chance came from a turnover after their press resulted in Emma Hawkins turning and shooting from close range, but the effort lacked the power or precision to beat Anna Leat in goal.
Allan continued to pull the strings in the attacking third for The Jets, and her clever pass found Ayres with space to shoot, but the Jets striker was uncharacteristically off target with her effort.
The second half, saw Canberra pin back Newcastle until the hour mark. Sasha Grove swapped flanks with Hayley Taylor-Young and found herself in more attacking positions from the left wing. Michelle Heyman became more involved as Canberra found another gear.
Newcastle eventually halted that momentum, and worked their way back into the match, but could not turn that into goals. Ayres embarked on a promising solo run, but her eventual shot was scuffed from outside of the area.
As full time approached, it began to feel like one of those draws that deserved to be more. Grove’s clever movement and tenacious work in the penalty box set up Heyman to score, but her shot went over the bar.
The Matildas striker turned supplier in the next play, her run and well-timed pass set up Mary Stanic-Floody with only Leat to beat, but her shot was well saved and needed more power.
Stanic-Floodt put that missed chance behind her quickly. There was no time to do anything else, and her next contribution helped decide the game. Her backheel flick sent fellow substitute Dale through in on goal, but she still had plenty to do.
The finish matched the buildup, and Dale defied the pressure of the moment to calmly loft the ball over the onrushing Leat to nestle under the bar and into the net.
The win cements Canberra’s newfound identity as a team that will not stop until the final whistle. For the second game in succession they have decided the result at the last possible moment, but it is not luck. They look calmer as the pressure rises, and seem confident that they have the players to turn the day their way.
Dale has established herself as a key player off the bench, capable of changing the game. Heyman could easily have had two against a lesser goalkeeper and Grove’s versatility in attack and midfield has made her a weapon no opponent has been able to contain so far.
They next face Western Sydney who will be smarting from a comprehensive loss to Adelaide United and needing to respond. Jagarinec’s team will now need to adjust from their customary position as underdogs into dealing with being favourites in most fixtures for the next phase of the season.
Newcastle will face a trip to Perth where they will face an improving and defensively strong Glory side. A result there could reignite their season.
Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Leat, Cicco, Prior, Bates, Breier, L Allan, Dundas, J Allan, Copus-Brown, Ayres, Hoban. Substitutes: Adams, Brown, Johnson, Ritchie, Page, Wilson.
Canberra United (4-4-2): James, Grove, Robers, Bertolissio, Gordon, Sasaki, Taylor-Young, Hawkins, Heyman, Aulicino. Substitutes: Dales, Christopherson, Stanic-Floody, Malone, Majstorovic, Wardlow.
Scorer: Dale 93’
Referee: Molly Godsell
Attendance: 1614
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