Sydney FC faces an uphill battle claiming the inaugural Westfield W-League title following its 2-nil defeat at the hands of the Newcastle Jets, this-afternoon at Campbelltown Stadium.
Sydney FC faces an uphill battle claiming the inaugural Westfield W-League title following its 2-nil defeat at the hands of the Newcastle Jets, this-afternoon at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Sky Blue women dominated for extensive periods of the match but two first half goals to Katie Gill in the space of eight minutes sealed Sydney-s fate, leaving Alen Stajcic-s side to rely on other results in the final round of the competition to have any hope of making the final four.
Sydney went into the game in the unfamiliar position of being the away side on its own home ground but with a strong line-up at their disposal, bolstered by the mid-week addition of experienced campaigner Leah Blayney, the ‘visitors- started the game in style.
Early chances fell to the former Maltilda and Leena Khamis among others, but Sydney was denied by some dogged Jets’ defence and impressive keeping from Newcastle-s Alison Logue – and in the 21st minute they were forced onto the back foot when Katie Gill unloaded a long-range shot during a rare attacking raid, giving the Novocastrians a one nil lead.
The Sky Blues stayed on the attack but were clearly lacking finesse in their finishing, and within ten-minutes Gill had claimed her second and doubled her side-s advantage after out hustling Sydney skipper, Lisa Gilbert in another break against the run of play
Alen Stajcic-s side came out full of fire in the second half, launching a barrage of shots on the Newcastle net, but again failing to find the target.
With as many as 24 attempts on goal Sydney had plenty of close calls and should have pulled at least one back as time ticked away. In the dying minutes Jets- keeper, Logue was drawn off her line by a Khamis run and the striker-s shot looked certain to score, until a last-second clearance by the stellar Rebecca Smith.
Soon after, at the other end of the field Newcastle-s Emily Van Egmond almost sealed the deal but Servet Uzunlar backed up the athletic efforts of her keeper, Nikola Deiter and kept the final deficit to two.
After the match a frustrated Khamis paid tribute to the performance of her opponents, and said it just wasn-t Sydney-s day.
“We created and had a lot of chances; that-s football and we know we have to finish them,” she said.
Sky Blues- Coach Alen Stajcic agreed that costly missed opportunities proved the difference between the teams.
“If you don-t take those chances – you don-t deserve to win,” said Stajcic.
Sydney is determined to finish the season on a high when it hosts Adelaide United at Parramatta next Saturday and still holds out hope of sneaking into the finals.
Match Detail
Newcastle Jets 2 (Katie GILL 21- /29- )
Sydney FC 0
Newcastle Jets: 1. Alison LOGUE (gk), 3. Samantha WOOD (14. Nicole JONES 63-), 6. Amber NEILSEN, 7. Gema SIMON, 10. Joanne PETERS, 11. Stacey DAY, 12. Katie GILL, 15. Emily VAN EGMOND (2. Hannah BREWER 92-), 16. Kirstyn PEARCE, 18. Rebecca SMITH, 19. Sanna FROSTEVALL (21. Taleah DOYLE 90-).
Substitute not used: 20. Gemma O-Toole (gk).
Yellow Cards: Samantha WOOD 10-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Katie GILL 21- /29- .
Sydney FC: 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Lisa GILBERT (C), 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 8. Joanne BURGESS (18. Nicola BOLGER 62-), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 17. Danielle SMALL (14. Maggie ELHUSSEINI 76-), 19. Leena KHAMIS, 20. Nikola DIETER (gk), 22. Kellie GOLEBIOWSKI (15. Jessica SEAMAN), 23. Leah BLAYNEY.
Substitute not used: 1. Rachel COOPER (gk).
Yellow Cards: Kylie Ledbrook 90’+2.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: nil.
Referee: Jacqui Melksam.
Crowd: 300.
