Newcastle Jets Women’s side have walked away with a share of the points after a frenetic match against Perth Glory at No.2 Sportsground in Newcastle on Sunday.
The Jets started the match dominating territory despite an even split of possession, the home side led by their triumvirate of American imports down their left flank Cannon Clough, Murphy Agnew and Sarah Griffith.
Two of the best opportunities for Newcastle to open the scoring fell to right back Tessa Tamplin who couldn’t quite control a chance in the 32nd minute in the penalty area, nor steer a longer-range effort two minutes later quite on target.
Despite having more chances on goal in the first half the Jets were beaten on to the scoresheet by the visitors in the 41st minute when Rylee Baiden scored the first of a brace to put Perth in front heading into the break.
It was more of the same to start the second half as Newcastle came out with energy lead by their effervescent skipper Cass Davis, who was a constant presence through the midfield alongside Emily Garnier pressing and breaking up any Perth incursions towards goal, while at the other end the Jets’ front three of Griffith, Tara Andrews and Lauren Allan continued to press their chances trying to open their account.
It was Allan, who in the 54th minute gained the breakthrough as she picked the pocket of defender Isabella Wallhead to take possession inside the 18-yard box before deftly chipping Perth goalkeeper Sarah Langman to get the home side back on level terms.
However, the scoreboard equality did not last long as four minutes later Perth took advantage of an unmarked player from a free-kick near halfway to set up Wallhead for her redemption as she broke away down the left flank before crossing into the six-yard box, finding the head of Baisden who duly nodded it past Jets shot-stopper Georgina Worth to snatch the lead back for the Glory.
The Jets looked to have clawed back to level pegging when fresh substitute Sophie Stapleford had the ball spill to her feet on the edge of the 18-yard box after an Agnew free kick, however the well-struck volley was marginally off target and rattled the outside of the net and the Glory maintained their lead.
It was only two minutes later when the ball came to an unmarked Baisden inside the penalty area, however the strike ballooned well over the crossbar. The Jets quickly made the visitors pay as a long-range through-ball from Stapleford found fellow substitute Ash Brodigan, who took the ball to the outside of Liz Anton before taking on keeper Langman one-on-one and calmly slotting it home to bring the Jets back on to level footing at 2-2.
Both sides had a number of opportunities to turn one competition point into three in the final 15 minutes, with the pick of these being a shot that rattled the crossbar and inexplicably did not go in from Perth striker Baisden, while the Jets had a hearty shout for a penalty in the 82nd minute when Clough was dispossessed firmly by Sarah Cain inside the penalty area, but neither side was able to find the dagger blow to take maximum points.
Both sides will now look to regroup. The Jets will look to continue their alternating loss-win record next Saturday against ladder-leaders Melbourne City away from home at Casey Fields, while Perth will be looking for their first win of the season as they host City’s cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory next Sunday at Macedonia Park in Perth.
Chris Macpherson
Roar Rookie
Thanks Brainstrust, The competition is getting stronger this year, and yes there has certainly been an influx of Americans, however many appear to be outside the USWNT system, so not certain its a World Cup preparation piece. The competition seems a little inconsistent so far, although Western United have certainly made a cracking start. Its great to know that after three rounds we aren't a quarter or third of the way through the season. I will look to cover more games across the season (likely with a focus on the Jets as their games are on my doorstep).
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The last matches have just finished WU scored 2 late goals to beat Adelaide. Dawber has to be selected for the Matildas she is by far Adelaides best player. Adelaides strategy of heading to the corner at 82 min didnt pay off. Melbourne VIctory had their first win, against WP. Logarzo looks in a lot better condition the Kellod Knight, not that she is a stand out player.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Well finally someone has done a report on the W-league . Having three matches all on at the same time I watched the SYdney FC WSW match so cant comment on this one. The number of American players though has gone through the roof, are they all coming to gain world cup experience. WSW fitness is poor, having 11 on 10 after a strange set of yellow card given to Tobin, the first of which not sure it was a foul, how it was a yellow was mysterious, the second for a handball where the ball was kicked at Tobin from a few meters away was just as mysterious. WSW while they intiially dominated then Sydney came back into it. The winning goal looked like an attempt at a cross by Remy Siemsen. I would like to see Siemsen start, Ibini and Sanders are both going back and holding the ball up and not getting into the area when Vine makes breaks.