The Newcastle Jets’ Westfield W-League side have suffered their first loss for the season, going down to Melbourne City 5 – 2 at AAMI Park on Sunday.
On a warm afternoon in Melbourne, the home side had all the running early – going a goal up inside 5 minutes through Kyah Simon.
The dominant display from City would continue as they confidently controlled possession and territory in the opening exchanges, led by Steph Catley and Ashley Hatch.
The momentum would swing the way of the Jets soon after, as Katie Stengel pounced on an uncharacteristic error from City custodian, Lydia Williams.
The City keeper took the ball from defence under pressure and slipped while in possession, allowing Stengel the simplest of finishes to get the Jets on the board.
The Jets continued with a high press, and were able to exert some pressure on their hosts, which again opened the door for Stengel to strike only minutes later for a first-half brace.
It was end-to-end stuff from both sides in the lead up to the break, as both teams were stretched in search of more goals. It would be the home side who would hit back, with Lisa Crummer drawing the home side level on the stroke of half time.
The break saw Craig Deans bring on fresh legs with Tori Huster and Nikola Orgill making way for Sophie Nenadovic and Clare Wheeler, but not even that could stop the ensuing City onslaught.
City dominated possession for long periods in the second half, and were unrelenting in attack as they asked numerous questions of the Jets defence. Britt Eckerstrom was gallant in her third appearance for the club, making some brave and crucial saves in goal.
Her work between the posts was ultimately in vain, as Jess Fishlock ran riot with two spectacular goals to ice the game for City.
Jets’ defender Tash Prior took a heavy knock in defence mid-way through the second half and was substituted for treatment, but returned to the bench towards the end of the match.
In the end, a clinical and polished performance from City was too much for the Jets who will now regroup to host Canberra United in Round 4.
The moments:
1′ | 0 – 0 | And we’re off at AAMI Park in this Round 3, Westfield #WLeague clash #MCYvNEW
1′ | 0 – 0 | Early attacking raid down the right from City, as the ball into the top of the 18-yard is expertly intercepted by Tori Huster #MCYvNEW
4′ | 0 – 1 | GOAL! Kyah Simon gets City off the mark with a stunning strike into the bottom right corner #MCYvNEW
15′ | 1 – 1 | GOOOALL! Katie Stengel! #MCYvNEW
15′ | 1 – 1 | Stengel draws the Jets level after pouncing on an error from Williams after the keeper lost her footing while in possession #MCYvNEW
19′ | 2 – 1 | GOAL! Stengel again! Pouncing on another defensive error, what a strike at the near post! #MCYvNEW
21′ | 2 – 1 | CHANCE! Cass Davis uses her body to cover a strong strike from the City attack #MCYvNEW
43′ | 2 – 1 | CHANCE! Cortnee Vine runs an impressive line to allow a neat ball from van Egmond, her powerful shot is taken cleanly by Williams #MCYvNEW
44′ | 2 – 2 | GOAL! Crummer draws the home side level just before half time #MCYvNEW
45′ | 2 – 2 | Two minutes added by the fourth official in this opening half #MCYvNEW
53′ | 2 – 3 | GOAL! Fishlock with a sublime finish off the back off a Catley cross as City take the lead once again #MCYvNEW
59′ | 2 – 3 | Hatch with a powerful strike that collects Tash Prior in the head with some real venom, play stopped as she receives treatment #MCYvNEW
70′ | 2 – 4 | GOAL! A brace for Crummer as City double their lead #MCYvNEW
76′ | 2 – 5 | GOAL! Fishlock with a long range stunner to extend City’s lead #MCYvNEW
Newcastle Jets: 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Natasha PRIOR, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Cortnee VINE, 16.Nikola ORGILL, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 23. Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
Subs: 8. Sophie NENADOVIC, 18. Clare WHEELER, 20.Claire COEHLO (gk) 21.Pana PETRATOS,
Subs Not Used: 20.Claire COEHLO (gk)
Goals: Katie STENGEL (15’ & 19’)
Melbourne City squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk) 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Ashley HATCH, 7.Steph CATLEY (c), 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Jess FISHLOCK, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 15.Amy JACKSON, 17.Kyah SIMON
Subs: 5.Lia MULDEARY, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 16.Sofia SAKALIS, 23.Melissa HUDSON (gk)
Subs Not Used: 23.Melissa HUDSON (gk)
Goals: Kyah SIMON (4’), Lrissa CRUMMER (45’ & 71’), Jessica FISHLOCK (54’ & 77’)
