A tenacious Newcastle Jets produced a dominant performance to beat Western Sydney 4-1 at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday and to take their first win of the season
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The Wanderers went into the match having beaten the hosts 2-1 on January 2 but Newcastle led 3-1 at the break of the round-five clash after Lauren Allan scored twice and Tara Andrews found her fourth of the season in as many matches.
The game was just eight minutes old when Allan opened the scoring. Jets midfielder Rhianna Pollicina released the lightning-quick forward beyond the Wanderers backline and an advancing Allan took a touch then beat goalkeeper Courtney Newbon at the near post with the outside of her foot.
But Georgia Yeoman-Dale was quick to take the wind out of Newcastle's sails when she equalised three minutes later with a long-range effort.
Plenty of passion was shown from both sides with Jets defender Hannah Brewer and Western Sydney's Rosie Galea both shown yellow cards in the 16th minute following an altercation.
Newcastle regained the advantage in the 33rd minute when Gema Simon floated a free kick from the right sideline into the box and Andrews nodded it on for Allan to head in at the back post.
The goal lifted the Jets, who worked hard across the park and played a high-pressing game to great effect.
Andrews made it 3-1 in the 44th minute when she poached a goal from a corner. Simon's corner was cleared out of the box and Jets defender Tessa Tamplin took a touch then lobbed it back into the danger area. Newbon appeared to have the ball wrapped up but fumbled it to the ground and Andrews was on the spot to finish from close range.
The hosts extended the lead to 4-1 in the 53rd when Brewer showed great vision to send the ball deep into Wanderers territory from halfway and Simon was given free passage through the last line of defence then had just Newbon to beat before finishing into an open goal for just her ninth goal in 131 W-League appearances.
The much-needed win propelled Newcastle to four points and fifth place on goal difference while the Wanderers (three points) slipped to eighth.
The Jets travel to Cromer Park to play Sydney on January 31.
Renee Valentine
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
