Sydney FC’s lead at the top of the Liberty A-League has stayed at four points with four games to go after a Princess Ibini strike secured a crucial 1-0 win in a drama filled ending at the Newcastle Jets.
The Sky Blues have also extended their A-League Womens’ clean sheet record to nine games and remain on top of the Club Championship with 45 points, ahead of Melbourne City by two.
Sydney FC 1 (Ibini 22’) def. Newcastle Jets 0
Moments That Mattered:
HAWKESBY SHOT TIPPED OVER – 12’ – Hawkesby unleashes from distance and it’s brilliantly tipped over by Coehlo.
JOHNSON MISS – 19’ – Jets striker Lucy Johnson finds herself in room in front of the goal but she hits it wide.
IBINI GOAL – 22’ – Ibini drives forward and plays a one-two with Siemsen before driving a fantastic long range strike into the corner.
COEHLO SAVES PENALTY – 24’ – Ibini is brought down by King in the box and a penalty is awarded. Hawkesby steps up but Coehlo makes a good save for the Jets to keep the deficit to one.
TOBIN HITS THE BAR FROM 40 YARDS – 43’ – Tobin smashes the ball from just outside the centre circle and with Coehlo beaten the ball bounces off the bar and safe.
LOWE FREE-KICK SAVED – 51’ – Coehlo dives full length to save Lowe’s curling free kick.
WHYMAN FLYING SAVE – 89’ – Jada Whyman springs into action to pluck the ball out of the air as Harding has a late shot to produce an equaliser.
AMAZING WHYMAN SAVE – 90’+2’ – Eddy is played through by Harding and she pokes her shot towards goal but Whyman somehow manages to get a leg out to deflect the ball over.
COEHLO GOAL DISALLOWED – 90’+3’ – From the resultant corner Jets goalkeeper Coehlo forces the ball over the line but the goal is disallowed for her earlier push on Sky Blues keeper Whyman.
Match Report
Sydney FC have consolidated their four point lead at the top of the Liberty A-League and remain two points in front of Melbourne City in the A-Leagues Club Championship, after Princess Ibini’s superb strike secured a 1-0 win away to Newcastle Jets.
Ibini’s long range first half effort was the only goal of the game but the Sky Blues and Jets both had chances with Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby missing a penalty and goalkeeper Jada Whyman pulling off some crucial late saves.
Newcastle Jets also had a late goal rubbed out after goalkeeper Clare Coehlo bundled the ball over the line, but it was chalked off after the referee ruled a foul on Whyman in the build-up.
The result also means Sydney FC extend their consecutive clean sheet record to nine games having conceded just one goal in ten matches this season.
What They Said: Ante Juric: [On the disallowed goal] “From watching from home, I thought it was a foul, but Newcastle actually did well, so we were probably lucky to get a win.”
Princess Ibini: [On the disallowed goal] “It’s refs decision so whatever she says it’s her call but I think she made the right decision.
“I just saw the opportunity to take the shot tonight and there’s no secret to the strike, just practice and plenty of training.”
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 5. Ally GREEN, 8. Rachel LOWE, 10 Remy SIEMSEN (6. Sarah HUNTER 63’), 11. Cortnee VINE (14. Paige SATCHELL 63’), 12. Natalie TOBIN, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 18. Taylor RAY, 19. Charlie RULE, 20. Princess IBINI.
Unused Subs: 40. Tahlia FRANCO (GK), 2. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 4. Jessika NASH.
Yellow Cards: Hawkesby 65’.
Red Cards: None.
Newcastle Jets: 20. Clare COEHLO, 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 7. Gema SIMON (5. Tiana JABER 45’), 8. Elizabeth EDDY, 9. Tara ANDREWS (13. Lauren ALLAN 78’), 12. Kirsty FENTON, 14. Lucy JOHNSON (19. Ashlee BRODIGAN 75’), 15. Sophie HARDING, 17. Marie MARKUSSEN (3. Jemma HOUSE 82’), 18. Taren KING, 32. Bethany GORDON.
Subs: 36. Georgia BORIC (GK0.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.
Venue: No 2. Sportsground
Referee: Georgia Ghiradello
