The Newcastle Jets were defeated 2-0 by Adelaide United in their Westfield W-League clash at Burton Park on Saturday.
Adelaide United have snapped a seven-game losing streak and won only their second match of the season with a 2-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets in their Westfield W-League clash at Burton Park on Saturday.
After a dour opening 45 minutes, the Lady Reds sprung to life in a pulsating second half when impressive guest player Kristy Moore scored on debut in the 67th minute.
The former Fulham Ladies striker’s opener was the catalyst for Adelaide who added a second three minutes later courtesy of Ruth Wallace.
The win lifts the hosts off the bottom of the table into ninth while condemning the Jets to last place.
Moore’s wealth of experience shone through from the outset with a clever run in behind Newcastle’s defence in the opening minute.
Sarah McLaughlin threaded the ball into the path of the Adelaide native, but a heavy first touch let her down as she sized up the goal.
Little action ensued after the early chance until Michaela Hatzirodos threatened for the visitors on nine minutes.
Hatzirodos weaved into the box from the wing and squared to Tara Andrews, but the striker could only hit the ball straight into the arms of Lady Reds goalkeeper Kristi Harvey.
Adelaide almost made their possession dominance count on 33 minutes when they thrust forward only for Jets defender Hannah Brewer to break up the attack with a suspected handball.
The home side went up in unison appealing for a free-kick but referee Katie Patterson was having none of it.
Moore had the best chance of the first half as the break drew near when Jess Waterhouse put the veteran clear.
The Jets defence tracked back quickly to close in on the 35-year-old before she scuffed her shot and fluffed the rebound.
United were lively to begin the second half but the Jets carved out the first opportunity when Grace Macintyre narrowly saw her shot go just wide.
Adelaide regained the ascendency and poured forward in droves as Moore finally broke the deadlock on 67 minutes.
Lady Reds captain Abby Erceg pushed on from defence before spreading the ball out wide into space where Moore sharply cut in from the left wing and poked the ball just under advancing Newcastle custodian Eliza Campbell.
The hosts doubled their tally moments later when Wallace beat the last defender, rounded Campbell and then finished from a tight angle.
Moore could have grabbed a second and extended Adelaide’s lead when she again found herself in acres of space and one on one with Campbell, but the Jets goalkeeper blocked her low effort with an outstretched leg.
Adelaide United 2 (Moore 67, Wallace 70)
Newcastle Jets 0
Adelaide United: 1. Kristi Harvey (gk), 2. Ruth Wallace (9. Marijana Rajcic 82), 4. Jesse Wharepouri, 5. Abby Erceg (c), 6. Cassandra Tsoumbris, 8. Sarah McLaughlin (3. Alex Natoli 90+2), 13. Ann Mayo, 15. Emma Checker, 16. Jessica Waterhouse, 18. Georgia Macri (7. Racheal Quigley 62), 23. Kristy Moore
Newcastle Jets: 1. Eliza Campbell (gk), 2. Hannah Brewer, 5. Tori Huster, 6. Angela Salem (c) (12. Tiffany Bosher 68), 7. Gema Simon, 8. Madeline Searl, 9. Tara Andrews (15. Alisha Foote 62), 16. Stacey Day, 18. Michaela Hatzirodos, 19. Jasmin Courtenay, 21. Grace Macintyre (17. Mikaela Howell 68)
