It was a wet, dreary Melbourne afternoon that would meet the Newcastle Jets as they arrived at AAMI Park to face the Victory on Friday afternoon.
Despite the less-than-desirable conditions, the Jets got off to an absolute flyer in their all important Round 9 clash – thanks to an early goal from Tori Huster.
The American was the beneficiary of some excellent service into the area from Jenna Kingsley, and after taking advantage of a deflection from a Melbourne defender, put a sweetly timed volley over Casey Dumont and into the back of the net.
After getting things underway on the scoreboard, the match turned to an arm wrestle as both teams exchanged possession in the greasy conditions – with neither side dominating play.
The Victory eventually found a way to draw level, as teenage sensation, Kyra Cooney-Cross scored her first W-League goal as she headed clear of Nikola Orgill, beating a diving Britt Eckerstrom from close range.
But drama ensued just before half time, as Hannah Brewer was dragged down inside the penalty area with referee, Kelly Jones pointing to the spot. Katie Stengel made no mistake with the penalty, seeing the Jets go to the break in front.
The second half started without much fanfare, with neither side enjoying any chances of significance. The Jets would soon find their groove and take control of the match, as veteran defender, Hannah Brewer scored her first W-League goal.
Topping off a fantastic performance from the fullback, the classy goal saw her combine neatly for a one-two with Katie Stengel in the area before firing a low strike into the right corner to take the lead to 3 – 1.
From that point on the running was with the visitors, who were unrelenting in attack as they continued to search for more goals.
Katie Stengel was dangerous, with a shot that hit the crossbar from well outside the 18-yard area, and Arin Gilliland was scheming in the attacking third with some thunderous shots on goal.
The Jets welcomed back Matilda, Gema Simon as Craig Deans substituted her into the match in the 80th minute – as she returned from a recent knee injury.
The win momentarily took the Jets to the top of the league, seeing them secure 16 points from their opening 8 games.
Next up, the girls will travel to Allianz Stadium for a clash with the Sky Blues in the New Year.
The moments:
4′ | 1 – 0 | GOAL! Tori Huster! #WLeague #MVCvNEW
4′ | 1 – 0 | An unmarked Huster enjoyed some brilliant service into the area from Jenna Kingsley and finished with precision to give us an early lead #WLeague #MVCvNEW
8′ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! Hannah Brewer strikes on goal after a supporting run for a charging Katie Stengel – with her shot just off the mark #WLeague #MVCvNEW
27′ | 1 – 1 | The Victory draw level through Cooney-Cross #WLeague #MVCvNEW
39′ | 1 – 1 | PENALTY! Brewer is taken down in the area #WLeague #MVCvNEW
40′ | 2 – 1 | Katie Stengel steps up and ices it from the spot, we’re back in front! #WLeague #MVCvNEW
42′ | 2 – 1 | A shot from outside the area by Dowie, as Eckerstrom stops it and recovers with a second attempt – tough conditions for the keepers at AAMI Park! #WLeague #MVCvNEW
62′ | 2 – 1 | CHANCE! Gilliland from long range again! This time her strike sails just across the face of goal #WLeague #MVCvNEW
71′ | 3 – 1 | GOAL! Brewer! #WLeague #MVCvNEW
71′ | 3 – 1 | Having stole the ball on the left touchline, Brewer charged towards goal and after a one-two with Stengel beat Dumont with a shot into the bottom right! #WLeague #MVCvNEW
75′ | 3 – 1 | SO CLOSE! A tip on from Stengel goes just wide of the left upright and a diving Dumont #WLeague #MVCvNEW
78′ | 3 – 1 | WOW! An absolute bomb from Stengel hits the upright #WLeague #MVCvNEW
Ground: AAMI Park
Newcastle Jets: 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Natasha PRIOR, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 16.Nikola ORGILL, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18.Clare WHEELER, 20.Claire COEHLO (gk), 21.Pana PETRATOS, 23.Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
Subs: 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Sophie NENADOVIC, 11.Cortnee VINE, 20.Claire COEHLO (gk)
Subs Not Used: 20.Claire COEHLO (gk)
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
Goals: 23.Tori HUSTER (5’), 9.Katie STENGAL (41’ pen), 2.Hannah BREWER (72’)
Melbourne Victory: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Annabel MARTIN, 7.Jeon GA-EUL, 8.Angela BEARD, 9.Natasha DOWIE, 10. Kyra COONEY-CROSS, 13.Laura SPIRANOVIC, 16.Lia PRIVITELLI, 31.Christina GIBBONS
Subs: 11.Melindaj BARBIERI, 14.Melina AYRES, 17.Gulcan KOCA, 20.Bethany MASON-JONES (gk)
Subs Not Used: 20.Bethany MASON-JONES (gk)
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
Goals: 10.Kyra COONEY-CROSS (28’)
