W-League: Newcastle Jets beat Perth in round 11

Newcastle are out of finals contention and went into the round-11 match at Dorrien Gardens in a three-way fight to avoid the wooden spoon with Melbourne City and Glory.

But the four-goal rout elevated seventh-placed Newcastle to seven points ahead of a round-12 clash with City, who are eighth with four points. Last-placed Glory stayed on one.

The Jets cannot reach Melbourne Victory in fourth with 17 points but have sixth-placed Western Sydney (10) in their sights and could possibly catch Canberra, who are fifth on 15, with more wins and other results falling their way.

"We want to finish as high up as we possibly can, so the goal for the next three games is another nine points from here to build on what we've done because we want to finish as strongly as we can," Wilson said.

"Looking at our goal difference at the moment, we're minus-two, so that reflects us still being competitive and it might have been a bit of a different story in terms of where we're sitting now with a couple of other results.

"But it is what it is and all you can do now is ensure that you finish in the best possible way you can."

The win snapped a four-match losing streak for Newcastle, whose other victory this campaign came in round five against Wanderers.

Victory never looked in doubt on Monday night as Newcastle took a 2-0 lead into the break after attacking midfielder Rhianna Pollicina scored a well-worked goal in the 29^th minute and striker Sunny Franco was finally rewarded for her tireless efforts by finding the back of the net from close range in the 36^th.

Franco made it a match brace when she scored with a header in the 47^th and Lauren Allan completed the rout in the 83^rd.

It was the first time Newcastle had produced a clean sheet in nine outings this season.

"We wanted to be ruthless and we wanted it to be a collective effort both with and without the ball, and they showed that level of commitment that I know they're capable of," Wilson said.

"We set some targets about having more shots on target and not conceding goals. In terms of those two objectives, we were quite successful.

"It's a tough run home but at the same time I'm hoping that this win kickstarts a nice run and even more self-belief because we can put on that kind of performance against any team. It's making sure that we turn up on the day and do it."

Newcastle have created plenty of chances in every game with Jets leading scorer Tara Andrews, Pollicina and Franco are all in the league's top 10 players for shots on goal.

But a failure to finish at crucial moments has cost them in other games.

Wilson expected more goals to follow from the likes of Franco, who has been threatening all season but until the Perth match had been unable to find the back of the net.

"We've seen what she does off the ball and on the ball in build-up and we've seen her get in front of goals a number of times and not been successful, but against Perth she was a lot more calm and composed in those areas," Wilson said.

"I hope this is a bit of a catalyst for her for the next couple of games to continue to back herself when she gets in those areas and, now she's seen that she's capable of taking those opportunities, to see a little bit more of that from her."

Wilson was planning a lighter training week as the Jets turn their focus to defending champions City. The two sides meet at Kingston Heath on Sunday before Newcastle complete their season with games against Canberra and Brisbane (19).

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