The Newcastle United Jets secured their 2nd win of the season – and first at home in over a year – on Saturday night against fellow cellar dwellers Adelaide United, who themselves arrived in the Hunter full of confidence after an upset win over Western Sydney Wanderers. Tara Andrews and Renee Pountney scored for the home team, sealing a 2-0 victory over the Reds.
In a first half where both sides were restricted to long range shots in an end to end contest, a Tara Andrews swivel shot which smacked against the crossbar on the 20’ mark was perhaps the most meaningful as the Jets appeared the hungriest heading into half time.
Despite losing key midfielder Clare Wheeler to an ankle injury, before another scare involving Hannah Brewer who was able to play on, the Jets took the lead on 52 minutes. Tessa Tamplin fired in a cross from the same magical blade of grass she scored from the previous week, this time resulting in a penalty for a handball against Adelaide captain Amber Brooks. Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer Andrews stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, putting the home side 1-0 up.
Young Matilda Chelsie Dawber was busy all night for Adelaide and had two opportunities to get them back on level terms but to no avail. From there it was Newcastle who took the game by the scruff of the neck with Teigan Collister providing a cross for unmarked substitute Pountney to coolly slot home at the far post, her first ever goal in the W-League securing the win.
Review the rest of the Round 9 wrap.
Next Up:
Round 12 will kick off after the Matildas Olympic Qualification matches.
The Newcastle Jets have a bye in Round 12, while Adelaide United play Canberra United at McKellar Park on Sunday February 16th at 4pm.
