Despite a stunning volley from Teigan Collister, the Newcastle Jets have gone down 2-1 to Adelaide United in their final game of the season at Marden Sports Complex on Thursday evening.
With both sides out of finals contention, Ash Wilson made the one change from Sunday’s side with midfield stalwart Clare Wheeler returning from injury in the place of Jenna Kingsley.
The Jets started well, and Tara Andrews showed some neat footwork on the edge of the Adelaide area in the 8th minute, but after making room for a shot, her left-foot effort went just wide of Sarah Willacy’s goal.
Hannah Brewer picked up an early caution in the 13th minute as the visitors showed they were up for the fight, but it was the Jets defender who was then adjudged to have fouled Chelsie Dawber in the 22nd minute, as referee Rebecca Mackie pointed to the spot.
Amber Brooks stepped up for the home side, and despite picking the right way, Claire Coelho could not deny the American from giving the hosts the lead after 24 minutes.
Collister scored our first goal of the season with a cracking strike against Melbourne City to earn a share of the points in Round One, and she showed her quality once again in the 37th minute as she drew the Jets level with another exquisite piece of skill.
Libby Copus-Brown delivered a dangerous freekick into the Adelaide penalty area, and when Willacy could only partially clear, the ball fell to Collister who did not hesitate as she struck a superb first-time volley into the back of the net to level the scores at 1-1.
The second half saw both sides chasing all three points to finish their seasons, and Collister almost doubled her tally when Tessa Tamplin’s pinpoint delivery found the Jets attacker at the back post, but unfortunately for the visitors she could not steer her volley goalbound.
The hosts regained the lead just after the hour mark when Mallory Weber pounced in the box and finished past Coelho to put Adelaide back in front after 61 minutes.
The Jets emptied their bench in search of an equaliser with Kingsley, Renee Pountney and Pana Petratos all seeing action, however it was Andrews who came the closest in the 87th minute when she got on the end of Pountney’s cross, but she could not direct her effort on goal as Adelaide held on to claim just their second victory of the season.
The result saw Adelaide jump above the Jets into 8th spot on the ladder, as our women finish the season in 9th position on the ladder.
