This Friday night, our Liberty A-League side head inter-state for the first time as we clash with Adelaide United with the focus of returning to the top four after dropping points from our last two matches.
Having now played six games, the Jets are currently on a five-game unbeaten streak – a team-equalling record – with our only loss coming at the hands of Sydney in the first round.
Last weekend though, despite being in control for the majority of the contest, our Women stumbled against the winless Canberra and now need to pick up vital points quickly if they are to keep in touch in the top four race.
Adelaide have been enjoying recent success with four wins from their past five outings to earn them a spot in third place on the table.
While United can’t move into a higher spot with a win, a loss could push them down, meanwhile, if our Jets fail to collect any points from the match, it could force us six points away from the four.
ADELAIDE UNITED V NEWCASTLE JETS
Date: Friday 4 February 2022
Kick-off: 5:05pm
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
How to Watch: Paramount+
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 23
Jets: 10
Draws: 5
Adelaide: 8
INTERSTATE TRAVEL
This Friday marks the first occasion that our side will travel interstate after their fixture scheduled in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago was postponed.
While our team will be confident they can collect a result in Adelaide, our recent history outside of NSW doesn’t bode well.
Over the past three seasons we’ve played nine games across borders, and have only managed to win two – both coming against Perth Glory – and have lost the other seven.
However, our record against Adelaide is positive, as to is our recent record while playing in the city of churches. Although we lost last time we played away, it’s been the only loss we’ve encountered in our past five matches there.
If our side is able to nab some points from the trip, it’ll go a long way to providing us momentum as we return home for a string of matches at No.2 Sportsground.
GIVE US THE GOALS
So far from our first six games, our team have managed 12 – an average of two goals per game – which is a major improvement on last year’s attack that saw us only muster 14 from all 12 games.
One positive to take from last weekend’s draw was the showcase of our attacking quality as we found the back of the net through three different goal scorers.
So far we’ve seen nine different goal scorers with Sophie Harding, Tara Andrews and Norwegian international Marie Dolvik all securing two. In contrast, last season only five players managed goals.
While Coach Ash Wilson will be happy with our efforts in scoring goals, she won’t be pleased that three were conceded. Our team currently holds one of the better defensive records in the competition, however have only played one team above them on the table, and if our defence isn’t sturdy this weekend, Adelaide have proven they have the dangers to take advantage having scored 15 from eight.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophie Harding (Newcastle Jets)
Harding joined our squad at the beginning of last season, starting three of her total 11 games, but in recent matches, she’s begun to hit her straps as she looks to make a forward spot her own.
She has started in three of our six outings, and currently is one of our equal-leading goal scorers with also an assist to her name.
The 22-year-old has proven a constant danger thanks to her speed and strength, and continually pops up in threatening positions in and around the opposition defence.
Last week she smashed home a brilliant, composed goal, and if she can continue to take her chances, and create them for her teammates, she will definitely be a force to watch out for in the back-half of the season.
Chelsea Dawber (Adelaide United)
Young Dawber has enjoyed a terrific start to the season so far and is currently second on the golden boot tally.
This season marks her fourth at the national level, and throughout her past three seasons, she’s been a danger in front of goal for oppositions.
She’s scored this so far this season, in addition to her previous seven, and has also collected a handful of assists.
Dawber claimed a double last weekend to sink the Wanderers in the second half, and if our defence isn’t on their game, she could prove a deciding factor once more.
STATS & FACTS
We enter this game looking to break our record of consecutive games unbeaten. The 2017/18 team managed to secure three wins and two draws and our girls will be hoping to go one better,.
With both sides showcasing different styles of play, the stats also show quite a contrast. From our matches so far, our team is averaging over 280 passes a game – fourth most in the league – while Adelaide only make an average of 215 – ninth in the league.
This goes hand in hand with our possession averages as our side pushes 52% a match, while Adelaide are sitting at an average of 47%.
With that being said, Adelaide have the third best attack in regards to goals scored and have proven their ability to capitalise on their chances. The Jets have created one more big chance than Adelaide, however we have managed to miss eight big chances more.
Defensively Adelaide are also sound and lead the league in tackles made per game with 16, while our team currently has made the least per match, with 10. When it comes to discipline though, the Jets are towards the bottom with six yellow cards and one red, as well as 41 fouls committed, as opposed to Adelaide’s 12 yellow cards and 80 fouls committed – both stats that they lead the competition in.
Individually there are a few standout performers hitting big numbers, with Cass Davis sitting at 40 passes per match as the second most in the league, as well as Elizabeth Eddy who leads the league in successful dribbles per match. For Adelaide though, Fiona Worts is dominating in multiple areas such as big chances created (5), key passes (almost 3 a game) and assists (3).
