Sydney FC Women extended their unbeaten run against the Newcastle Jets Women to eight matches at McDonald Jones Stadium on a frustrating Sunday afternoon for the home side.
Newcastle dominated field position in the opening exchanges and created the better of the chances. But, it was Sydney that would open the scoring after a controversial refereeing decision.
Sydney striker Remy Siemsen went down in the box after a very light touch from Megan Oyster as she made a diagonal run from the middle of the box to the right edge. Referee Kelly Jones pointed to the spot almost immediately amidst howls of disapproval from the home crowd.
Returning Matildas’ striker Kyah Simon made no mistake from the spot rolling the penalty precisely into the bottom left corner, just beyond the outstretched hand of new Jets keeper Katelyn Rowland – who dove the right way – on her W-League debut.
After the goal the home side continued their dominance in the front third, creating a host of chances, but were unable to finish, as they went to the break 1-0 down.
Immediately after the interval and the Jets finally made one of their chances count. Rhali Dobson provided a pinpoint low cross from the left to Jenny Kingsley who had all but an open goal, but somehow Sydney FC goalkeeper Sham Khamis was able to block her shot. The save rebounded to Jets import Jen Hoy who swept home her third goal in three weeks.
However, just as it seemed the Jets would run over the top of the visitors the Sky Blues replied almost immediately. From the kick-off Sydney pushed forward and won a corner which was wonderfully finished by former Jet Nicola Bolger with a spectacular half-bicycle kick.
From then both sides struggled to create chances on a humid and hot afternoon in the Hunter, and it was the Sky Blues who continued their recent dominance over the Jets to win 2-1.
