Lauren Allan, take a bow.
While the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a 2-all draw in the A-League Women’s (ALW) round one fixture at the Cessnock Sportsground at the weekend, the 27-year-old attacker couldn’t have been more impressive.
In front of 2,858 fans, the hosts fought back from a 2-0 deficit to share the competition points with their rivals.
But, it was Allan who sizzled in the 33-degree heat.
She not only scored a crucial goal, she was also a constant headache for Western Sydney’s defence.
However, it didn’t look as though it would be like that early on.
An embarrassing interaction between Tash Prior and keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak enabled Wanderers’ Sophie Harding to convert the easiest of chances in the fourth minute for a 1-0 lead.
In fact, she troubled Newcastle every time she came into play.
Harding then set up Sienna Saveska to extend the advantage 2-0.
At the other end, Lauren Allan, Libby Copus-Brown, Sophie Hoban and Josie Allan all had strong opportunities, without luck.
But, on the stroke of half-time, and after an extended period of dominance, the Jets finally fought their way into the contest.
A Copus-Brown corner found its way onto the head of captain Cass Davis, who located Deven Jackson. The club newcomer put the ball into the back of the net to reduce the margin to 2-1.
That scoreline belied the one-sided statistics, with Newcastle enjoying 61% of possession in the opening 45 as well as 15 shots to five.
Lauren Allan missed a golden chance to level the scores immediately after the break, the ball just evading her outstretched foot.
Sixteen-year-old Jets Academy graduate Alexis Collins and Lauren Allan combined exceptionally well soon after, however Josie Allan couldn’t capitalise on the final pass, pulling up short with a cramp.
Minutes later she was replaced by Lara Gooch, who provided a huge attacking spark.
Newcastle made no mistake on its next foray.
Following some brilliant lead-up work by Gooch, Lauren Allan levelled it up 2-all at the one-hour mark.
The biggest cheer then arose from the local spectators when Knights premiership-winning NRLW star Sheridan Gallagher replaced Collins in the 74th minute.
And, she soon displayed her class with a football at her feet.
The former Young Matilda launched two power shots to show she meant business.
But, Western Sydney goalie Shamiran Khamis was equal to the task.
The excitement continued when Wanderers debutant Bronte Trew found herself in front of an open goalmouth, only to shoot wide.
Khamis then pulled off a brilliant save to deny Gooch.
Despite pressuring the Western Sydney goal in the latter stages of the showdown, the Jets failed to land the match-winner.
For more sports stories:
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