Newcastle Jets 1-2 Melbourne City
by Alice de Koster Kitto (5/4/26)
Above: Danielle Turner celebrates her late winner for Premiers Melbourne City in Maitland today. Photo: A-Leagues.
Melbourne City have finished their regular season campaign on a high, with a late strike from Danielle Turner securing a win for the premiers, following a hard fought end-to-end battle against Newcastle Jets at Maitland Sportsground.
With the Jets out of finals contention after results went against them earlier this round, and City holding the top spot, an entertaining and even match was put on display to the final whistle.
Newcastle Jets entered the pitch with a lot to prove, looking to extend their success against Melbourne City, after beating the reigning premiers 3-0 for the first time back in January.
City came on strong, holding control of the ball and keeping play in their attacking end for the first 10 minutes of play. Despite the visitors’ early dominance, it was the Jets who had the first real chance, as an expert Melina Ayres strike flew through the City defence, and would have certainly hit the back of the net if not for a clinical save from Barbieri, just in time.
There was a quick response from City, as Bryleeh Henry headed towards the goal, before the ball was collected by Boertje.
A foul on Aideen Keane by Claudia Cicco earned City a free kick, taken by newly called up Matilda Leticia McKenna, delivering the ball to Taylor Otto, who had an excellent strike from distance, which was just hit away by Boertje.
A perfectly timed challenge on Josie Wilson by Danielle Turner saved City from conceding the first goal of the afternoon, as Wilson made a run towards goal, with what appeared to be the intent to find Ayres in a dangerous area.
Another set piece taken by McKenna came dangerously close to goal, with the ball only just sliding over the crossbar.
As first half stoppage approached, a goal seemed imminent, but it was unclear which side would open the scoring. While City had the better of the chances, the Jets continued to present danger to Melbourne’s defence.
With a lively and high-stakes match-up, there was no shortage of chances or action at either end in the first half. Despite efforts and two minutes of added time, the match remained goalless at halftime.
The scoring was opened just two minutes into the second half when Ayres’ continuous efforts paid off, as a strike inside the box could not be stopped by Barbieri, giving the Jets the lead.
Kelli Brown came close to doubling the hosts’ lead, taking advantage of a passive City defence, before being stopped in the nick of time inside the box.
Newcastle held their upper hand, with City not being able to break through to the attacking half or create any real chances, whilst the hosts continued to create trouble for Melbourne’s defence.
McKenna provided a challenge for Jets, finding City’s first real shot of the second half. However, a lack of power behind the ball sent it straight to the hands of Boertje.
Following chaos in the penalty area, it appeared that City had found an equaliser, a goal was denied, with officials finding the ball did not cross the line. The mayhem in Melbourne’s attacking end continued, with a corner leading to a goal coming dangerously close, before hitting the crossbar for the 3rd time in just a few minutes.
The 72nd minute saw Aideen Keane find the equaliser, with a goal that was a long time coming for City.
While the action didn’t slow down, there was no real chance for either side to take the lead following City’s equaliser, until the dying moments of added time, when Turner sent the ball to the back of the net, securing the win for the premiers.
The match ends the Jets’ regular season, leaving the hosts eighth on the ladder, while City have already secured the premiership, and will head to semi-finals, where they will undoubtedly be looking to secure another Grand Final spot.
NEWCASTLE JETS (5-3-2): Boertje, Karapidis, Cicco, Prior, Wilson, Bates, Hoban, Copus-Brown, Allan, Ayres, Brown. Substitutes: Adams, Allan, Johnson, Lancaster, Page, Dunbar.
Scorer: Ayres 47’.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): Barbieri, Turner, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, Davidson, Hughes, McKenna, Jackson, Keane, Henry. Substitutes: Jugovic, Wilson, Sarris, Mieres, Rako, Biggs.
Scorers: Keane 72’, Turner 90+4’.
Referee: Mikayla Ryan.
Attendance: 852.
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