The Newcastle Jets Women’s team have drawn 1-1 with NSW rivals Sydney FC in an entertaining game of football.
Round Four of the Westfield W-League saw Newcastle Jets head south to face competition favourites Sydney FC for what turned out to be a hotly contested match between the two intrastate rivals at Campbelltown Stadium.
At almost the half way mark in the short 10 match season, the Jets haven-t scored a victory since Round 1, so the girls were keen to nab the precious three competition points to keep their finals dreams alive.
The first half set the aggressive tone that the players maintained throughout the entire match, with some push and shove off the ball reflecting the intensity of the match between the teams, both coming off a loss last round.
Frustration quickly set in as both teams attempted numerous shots on goal but were unable to convert with shots sprayed wide or lacking an real intensity and easily cleaned up by both keepers.
The nil all scoreline at half time was not reflective of the intensity of the game as the teams headed to the dressing sheds with Salisbury limping from the field an ominous sign for the Jets.
Salisbury returned for the second half however it was a mistake from the Newcastle captain that was to put Sydney in the lead. A poor downward header clearance by Salisbury saw Sydney-s Leena Kharmis pounce on the ball, with her powerful shot deflected by a teammate and sneaking past Logue into the corner of the Newcastle goal.
Both teams were left wanting with numerous chances not capitalised on until Newcastle-s star striker Katie Gill fired a cracking strike from just inside the 18 yard box in the 67th minute to tie up the match one all.
Late substitutions by both teams signalled a desperate attempt to break the deadlock as the match headed into injury time but to no avail as teams shared the points after 93 minutes in what was an intense and entertaining match.
Acting Jets coach Kean Marshall was happy with the way the girls played, but believed that the team needs to work on their endurance.
“I thought the girls played quite well. I thought they really put on a good display although they looked a little bit tired towards the end of the first half and probably the middle of the second half,” Marshall said.
Marshall conceded that whilst the Jets dominated much of the game, they could not convert and when under pressure, again small defensive lapses were costly.
“When you dominate a game you need to be forward but when you-re under the pump you can-t concede,” said Marshall.
The Jets return home next weekend for Round Five, taking on Perth Glory at Wanderers Oval, Broadmeadow on Sunday 23rd at 3pm.
