It was a thrill a minute encounter at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a match marked by a storm delay for the second time in as many weeks for our Westfield W-League side.
Despite two goals from the penalty spot to Tara Andrews, and a number of chances in the second half, a first win of the season evaded the Jets.
It wasn’t through a lack of trying though – the Jets looked in good shape until the visitors struck in the 29th minute following a Karly Roestbakken cross-cum-shot which bamboozled a backtracking Claire Coelho.
Her strike came off the crossbar, and was very simply tapped in by a waiting and grateful Ashlie Crofts.
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Canberra seized on their moment, striking in the 32nd minute when Simone Charley burst through and made it two which set the Jets reeling.
Although, not for long. Newcastle were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute after Nicki Flannery was brought down inside the box – originally awarded a free kick, the referee changed her decision once she’d reviewed the evidence on the big screen.
Tara Andrews duly put the penalty away, and had another chance to do the same moments later when Jenna Kingsley was brought down inside the box. On the stroke of half-time, Andrews pulled the Jets level.
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With three points on the line for Newcastle, the girls streamed forward in search of a goal which would put them in the drivers seat.
They weren’t without chances – Nicki Flannery had a header cleared off the line, Tara Andrews a free kick saved, and Flannery another header which went just over the top.
In the end, it wasn’t to be the Jets afternoon, as Canberra struck late through a Elise Thorsnes run in behind and slick finish to condemn the Jets to their second loss of the campaign.
