Sydney FC 1-2 Newcastle Jets
By Kieran Yap 13/1/26
Above: Charlotte Lancaster. Photo: A–League
The Newcastle Jets have beaten Sydney FC 2-1 thanks to a late Charlotte Lancaster strike in injury time. The visitors had to come from behind after Amelia Cassar opened the scoring at Leichhardt Oval, but goals from Melina Ayres and Lancasters winner secured the points for Newcastle.
Ante Juric’s side was trying to avoid an unwanted record. Another game without scoring would make it six in a row, the first time any side in the league achieved such an unenviable feat.
Sydney looked eager to break that streak early, Bianca Galic’s effort from a cutback was blocked and Skye Halmarick was close to her first A-League goal with a headed attempt.
Sarah Hunter was deployed in a slightly more advanced role than where she has spent much of her career. The midfielder sat behind the front three, moving the ball quickly to the wingers on either side.
While Newcastle did not look under pressure, they still struggled to get a foothold in the early stages. Sydney looked more likely to score and when it arrived, it was special.
Cassar received the ball wide on the right almost 25 yards from goal and spotted Anns Leat off her line. With composure, class and skill, she lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to open to scoring, and add her name to the list of likely goal of the season contenders.
Newcastle had created few chances when they drew level, but Melina Ayres only needs one. Lauren Allan sent in a high looping cross that fell to Ayres. The Jets striker had all the time she needed to position herself and finish into the far bottom corner to level the scores.
Despite the equaliser, Sydney FC continued to control the majority of the game. With Newcastle’s defence organized and sitting deep, they found it hard to create clear cut chances or get behind the back four. A long range volley from Sarah Hunter had Leat scrambling to save, but there was nobody to follow up the parried effort.
Somewhat against the run of play, the Jets almost took the lead. Tash Prior and Cass Davis were patient in the buildup and Joei Allan was classy on the wing to find Haley Johnson in space, but the striker hesitated slightly and that was enough for Sydney to clear the danger.
Newcastle’s confidence was growing and the game was opening up. Davis’s run through the middle released Ayres and her powerful shot brought the best out of Heather Hinz. The Sydney FC goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to deny Josie Allan.
Sydney FC regrained momentum and went int search of a winner. Substitute, Claire Cornett tested Leat from an angle, and Hana Lowry’s free kick came close, but did not trouble Leat.
With the game headed for a draw, Lancaster delivered something special. Her long range rocket in the dying stages was spectacular in style and devastating in impact. It delivered the killer blow and three points to the Jets, returning them to the winners list after a month of consecutive defeats.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Hinz, Tumeth, Fenton, Pearson, Lemon, Lowry, Hunter, Galic, Cassar, Halmarick, Tanner. Substitutes: Robertson, Ayson, Moise, Corbett, Luchtmeijer, Sullivan.
Goals: Cassar 18’
NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Leat, Cicco, Prior, Wilson, Breier, Davis, Hoban, J Allan, L Allan, Johnson, Ayres. Substitutes: Dundas, Copus-Brown, Lancaster, Ritchie, Collins, Brown.
Goals: Ayres 29’ Lancaster 90’
Referee: TBC
Attendance: TBC
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