The highly anticipated Westfield W-League Newcastle Jets season opener against Canberra United at Wanderers Oval exhibited woman’s football at its finest and saw the home side defeat their counterparts 2-1.
The highly anticipated Westfield W-League Newcastle Jets season opener against Canberra United at Wanderers Oval exhibited woman-s football at its finest and saw the home side defeat their counterparts 2-1.
With 1100 spectators, the Jets had a supportive home crowd who cheered them on to an entertaining victory in hot playing conditions.
The game began with a controversial goal to Canberra United-s Sasha McDonnell after a scurry at the goalmouth, leaving the Jets disillusioned in the opening minutes.
The Jets spirit returned quickly after the opening goal to Canberra as Emily Van Egmond and Katie Gill each had attempts on goals.
“I think everyone was anxious, nervous, excited, a bit of trepidation but we got through it,” said Coach Gary Phillips.
The younger players such as Van Egmond and Libby Sharpe stepped up to the difficult conditions, gaining confidence from more experienced players such as captain Cheryl Salisbury and star of the match, Katie Gill who had returned home from overseas yesterday.
Jets goalkeeper, Alison Logue achieved her first of many saves during the game after another attempt by Sasha McDonnell.
The Jets hit back with their attack as Van Egmond scored a goal in the 21st minute only to have the goal disallowed due to an offside call by the sideline official.
Two minutes later Gill received a through ball which she converted into the Jets first goal for the season.
The teams performed evenly for the remainder of the first half as several goal attempts were made with no conversions from either squad.
The second half was interrupted by injuries to players from both sides.
Canberra-s Munoz was injured in a scuffle which left her side playing with only ten in the hope that she would return to the field which was not the case.
The side was left disadvantaged and vulnerable in her absence making a path for Gill to score her second goal of the game in the 81st minute, sealing the Jets 2-1 win.
“I really miss Newcastle and it was great to actually play at home, I couldn-t ask for a better way to start the season, a win is a win and with the crowd behind us as well it-s fantastic,” said Gill.
Phillips was happy with the win, but refuses to become comfortable too early in the competition.
“Given the experience I was always fairly confident that we would create our chances and that would be enough to get through,” he said.
Next round the Jets will depart Newcastle to face Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Match Detail
Round One 26/10/08 1:30pm
Newcastle Jets v Canberra United
Wanderers Oval Broadmeadow
Attendance: 1100
Newcastle Jets FC
1. Alison LOGUE (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Samantha WOOD, 4. Libby SHARPE, 5. Cheryl SALISBURY (C), 6. Amber NEILSON, 7. Gema SIMON, 8. Leia SMITH, 9. Rhali DOBSON, 10. Joanne PETERS, 11. Stacie DAY, 12. Katie GILL, 15. Emily VAN EGMOND
Substitutes not used: 14. Nicole JONES
Coach: Gary Phillips
Yellow Cards: Van Egmond 87-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Gill (2) 24-, 82-.
Canberra United FC
1. Lydia WILLIAMS (GK), 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Sasha MCDONNELL, 6. Caitin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Rebecca KITING, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12. Kara MOWBRAY, 13. Thea SLAYTER, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 17. Christine WALTERS, 18. Lucy ALLEN,
Substitutes not used: 20. Maja BLASCH (GK)
Coach: Robert Hooker
Yellow Cards: nil.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: McDonnell 2-.
Referee: Jacqui Melksham
