Gary van Egmond’s hopes of staying under the radar in the A-League Women’s (ALW) competition evaporated when the Newcastle Jets shocked the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 on Saturday.
In front of a fairly strong crowd at Industree Group Stadium, more than 5,700 people, the visitors placed one hand on the inaugural ALW F3 Derby trophy, thanks to superb effort by newcomer Melina Ayres.
The round one fixture boasted everything, with red and yellow cards aplenty, terrific attacking raids and a thrilling finish.
Both teams appeared understandably rusty in the opening exchanges, although the hosts had the better of the early play, with Newcastle keeper Izzy Nino busy.
But, in the 23rd minute, Jets star Ayres went close twice, however Central Coast’s Courtney Newbon denied her on both occasions.
Soon after, Libby Copus-Brown was issued the first yellow card of the season following a foul.
That changed the tempo of the game… and it was Newcastle who enjoyed improved field territory.
Another yellow card, this time to Mariners’ Ashley Irwin, allowed the Jets to camp even further inside enemy terrain.
With inspirational captain Cass Davis leading the way, Newcastle attacked again on the stroke of half-time, but the Central Coast defenders sent the ball over the net.
Although the combatants headed to the sheds locked at 0-all, Newcastle boasted 53.5% of the possession, with six shots on goal, which would have pleased coach van Egmond.
The Jets began the second stanza as they finished the first.
In the 50th minute, MelindaJ Barnieri nursed a free kick into the waiting arms of Newbon.
She and Ayres then combined to test the opposing keeper yet again, who produced another strong save.
Within a short period, Faye Bryson (Mariners), Bianca Galic (Mariners), Lorena Baumann (Jets) and Alex Huynh (Jets) all felt the wrath of the referee.
Central Coast lifted its intensity and only the skills of Nino at the back, plus some desperate tackles by Natasha Pryor, stopped the home side from hitting the lead.
Things heated up in the 77th minute when Bryson and Huynh were sent from the field.
It spurred Newcastle on, with substitute Lara Gooch manufacturing a great run down the sideline and she crossed to striker Ayres, who headed home for the match-winner… and the three points.
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