PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Isaac McIntyre/Blake Jarrett
With Melbourne City claiming seven wins in seven games for their debut season, the Jets faced a massive task at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne’s high intensity set the pace of the game almost immediately, pushing at the Jets’ defence to try and find a weak point.
A through-ball from Beatrice Goad to Larissa Crummer almost identified the first break as the league’s top-scorer found the back of the net – but the ruling was offside and the score remained nil-all.
Newcastle’s defence held firm and for the first half hour of the match both teams were pushing at goals, with chances coming at either end of the pitch, however the match remained a tight and goalless affair.
Five minutes before half-time, Lisa De Vanna’s cross-turned-shot almost crept into the bottom left hand corner but Newcastle Jets keeper Hannah Southwell was up to the task, diving well to her right.
The Jets had defended well all half against the dominant City and looked to keep the score at 0-0 at the half-time break, however Goad scored a minute before the interval with a shot from just outside the box after great build up play by Kim Little.
After the break, City returned with confidence, starting off where they left off and immediately threatening the home side with De Vanna looking to double their lead with a sneaky chip from outside the penalty area however Southwell caught it comfortably.
A run across the top of the eighteen yard box by Chloe Logarzo gave Tara Andrews a chance on City’s goal, but Briana Davey and Andrews clashed over the ball and Davey emerged with the ball in her grasp, keeping the Jets from finding the back of the net.
The second half was a tale of defensive structure, with the Jets matching City in the middle third but lacking intensity in the front despite creating a number of chances. They continued to defend superbly but could not find an equaliser.
Despite the tight match, the Jets failed to stop Melbourne from claiming another win to their name. City’s perfect run is continued and they now go on to play against Perth Glory in Melbourne next weekend, while the Jets are at home again to take on Adelaide United at Magic Park, hoping to bounce back from the loss on the weekend.
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne City 1 (Beattie Goad 44’)
Sunday 13 December 2015
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 2pm
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Newcastle Jets: Hannah Southwell (gk), Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Megan Oyster, Caprice Dydasco, Cassidy Davis, Gema Simon (c), Tara Andrews, Chloe Logarzo (Kobie Ferguson 84’), Adriana Jones (Siahn Bozanic 75’), Jenna Kingsley (Clare Wheeler 65’), Hannah Bromley
Substitutes – Claire Coelho (gk), Kobie Ferguson, Siahn Bozanic, Clare Wheeler
Cautions – none
Melbourne City: Brianna Davey (gk), Jennifer Beattie, Laura Alleway, Aivi Luik, Steph Catley (c), Kim Little, Larissa Crummer (Marianna Tabain 80’), Jess Fishlock, Lisa De Vanna, Amy Jackson, Beattie Goad (Rebekah Stott 75’)
Substitutes – Trudy Burke (gk), Alexandra Chidiac
Cautions – none
