Round three of the Westfield W-League travelled north this evening with the Newcastle Jets taking on Queensland Roar at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
Round three of the Westfield W-League travelled north this evening with the Newcastle Jets taking on Queensland Roar at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
After Round 2 both the Jets and Roar were sitting on 3 points alongside all competition teams with the exception of ladder leaders, Sydney FC, and the winless Perth Glory.
Both teams were eager for a win to take the 3 crucial points which would see the teams edge up the ladder.
Going into the match Queensland were at a loss as star Matilda, Jenna Tristram suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last week in the Roar-s game against Canberra that will rule her out for the rest of the season.
Torrential rain delayed kickoff for 10 minutes but once play got underway, both teams struggled in the heavy conditions.
The first goal attempt came in the 6th minute by Clare Polkinghorne for Queensland but went wide.
The Jets then took their first attempt at goal when Leia Smith shot straight to the keeper.
Queensland-s domination continued with the Jets finally succumbing to the Roar-s pressure as Courtney Beutal scored off a header in the 14th minute.
The Jet-s attempted several more shots on goal by Katie Gill and Smith but were unable to convert.
Queensland-s Lana Harch left the field in the 35th minute after being struck in the face by a ball, leaving her side with only ten women. The Jets however could not capitalise on the opportunity, as Queensland continued their control of the first half and maintained their 1-0 lead until the half time whistle.
The first ten minutes of the second half saw both teams come out with fresh enthusiasm and attempted several shots on goal but all to no avail.
Newcastle lifted their intensity even further with Katie Gill tussling with Queensland-s Kim Carroll, resulting in Carroll leaving the field injured after a heavy fall.
The Jets struggled to contain the Queensland pressure, calling on their bench with Rhali Dobson bought on in an effort to strengthen the attack.
Frustrated by Queensland-s strength, Newcastle received two yellow cards within two minutes – the first to captain, Cheryl Salisbury in the 69th minute and the second to Joey Peters in the 71st.
Again the Jets turned to the bench to try to turn the tide, with Jets Taleah Doyle and Harmonie Attwill bought in .
Ironically the match was put beyond doubt by former Newcastle girl Lauren Colthorpe, who scored in the 84th minute to wrap up the match for Queensland 2-0.
