A last-minute goal from Matildas star Cortnee Vine secured a crucial 1-0 win for the Sydney FC away to Newcastle Jets.
Sydney FC 1 (Vine, 84’) defeated Newcastle Jets 0.
Moments That Mattered
13’ – WORTS GOAL DISALLOWED – an early lead for the Sky Blues was shot down after the referee adjudged Caspers to have fouled the goalkeeper.
23’ – SKY BLUE KEEPER SHINES – Jada Whyman denies the Newcastle Jets a goal after a stunning mid-air save.
69’ – CONNORS HITS THE WOODWORK – Connors relentless pursuit off the bench saw her come close to being Sydney FC’s first goal scorer for this afternoon with a long range shot.
84’ – VINE NETS GOAL – Matildas star Cortnee Vine slots home from the right-hand side of the six-yard box after good work from Connors and Ibini to close down the Jets defence.
What They Said: Ante Juric: “I am happy with this performance and ultimately the result. We still have a long way to go in terms of where we are as a team. But there are positive signs.
“Our midfield today were 16, 17 and 18 yrs old and these youngsters were great. They will only get better. With that our team will keep improving.
“Having Vine and Fenton back from injury is a big lift for the girls. We can now look forward to playing Perth Glory, who have started the season well.”
Match Report: Sydney FC travelled to No. 2 Sportsground this afternoon to take on their ladder competitors, the Newcastle Jets.
Only two points separate the Sky Blues and the Jets on the Liberty A-League ladder, making the first 45 minutes a gruelling tit-for-tat match-up.
An early lead for Sydney FC was denied after a foul was conceded inside the penalty area. After a coming together between Sky Blue newcomer Madeline Caspers and Jets goalkeeper Isobel Nino, the strike from forward Fiona Worts was disallowed.
Jets forward Sarina Bolden had a shot but it was blocked by an impeccable mid-air save from Sky Blues keeper Jada Whyman. A fantastic leap to the cross bar gave Whyman the upper hand on the Filipino international player.
The Sky Blues were edging closer to securing the first goal for the evening after Aideen Keane found herself in a one-on-one battle with the Jets keeper. Keane’s right-foot strike went wide, just missing the goal.
Shea Connors came off the bench and made three attempts on goal. She hit a powerful strike off the right boot headed towards the left-hand corner of the goal which hit the cross bar, ricocheting into the possession of opposition player Natasha Prior.
The momentum from Connors proved to be crucial. Sky Blues Captain Princess Ibini barraged through Jets defenders, making a pass to Cortnee Vine which gave the Matilda a tap in directly in front of the goal posts and secure the three points for the afternoon.
Jets had a couple of opportunities to even the score, but Whyman’s defence proved to be unstoppable.
Sydney FC walked away from the Jets home turf with a 1-0 win under their belt. The Sky Blue Liberty A-League side will next play joint ladder leaders Perth Glory next Sunday evening.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 13. Aideen KEANE (11. Cortnee VINE 53’), 19. Zara KRUGER (18. Taylor RAY 82’), 20. Princess IBINI-SEI, 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 23. Fiona WORTS (9. Shea CONNORS 65��), 26. Madeleine CASPERS
Unused Subs: 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 30. Tahlia FRANCO (GK)
Yellow Cards: KEANE (31’) / CHAUVET (52’)
Red Cards: None
Newcastle Jets: 1. Isobel NINO (GK), 2. Josephine WILSON (23. Zoe KARIPIDIS 66’), 3. Claudia CICCO, 4. Natasha PRIOR, 5. Emily VAN EGMOND (9. Melindaj BARBIERI 46’), 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 11. Sarina BOLDEN, 13. Lauren ALLEN (22. Lorena BAUMANN 74’), 18. Sophie HOBAN, 25. Lara GOOCH (7. Gema SIMON 74’), 28. Emma DUNDAS
Unused Subs: 21. Kiara ROCHAIX (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Venue: No. 2 Sportsground
Referee: Bec Mackie
