Just like their male colleagues, the Newcastle Jets’ A-League Women’s (ALW) side suffered a heartbreaking last-minute defeat at the weekend.
Less than 24 hours after the men’s team dropped its showdown, 5-4, to the Macarthur Bulls on Boxing Day, Stephen Hoyle’s troops succumbed 1-0 to Canberra United at No. 2 Sportsground on Saturday 27 December.
Only a goal to teenager Sienna Dale, in stoppage time, was the difference between the combatants following a scrappy affair.
With inspirational captain Cassidy Davis sidelined for the match through injury, Newcastle seemed to lack leadership and direction on the field in her absence.
In fact, the margin could have been greater in the visitors’ favour had it not been for Jets’ keeper Anna Leat.
The New Zealand international made 10 saves to one, compared to her Canberra counterpart Sally James.
That’s after United enjoyed 32 shots on goal.
Newcastle’s stand-in skipper Libby Copus-Brown admitted missed opportunities in the opening period cruelled the hosts.
“I think we were right in the first half,” she told Paramount afterwards.
“We should have put away a few of those chances that we created early on.
“But, we were poor in the second 45.
“Our final pass let us down [today].
“And then, conceding in the dying moment isn’t a good way to go down.
“However, we’ll bounce back and be ready for next week.”
The Jets, likely to slip out of the top six, head west to face Perth Glory at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Saturday 3 January.
Copus-Brown is confident Newcastle will respond accordingly, especially with Davis expected to return.
“She’s a tough cookie,” she said.
“Hopefully, Cass will be fresh after the break.
“We’re pretty good at bouncing back.
“We’ve got that hard-working spirit in the squad.
“So, we’ll be alright for the clash.”
For more sports stories:
- Milligan refuses to blame match officials for Jets’ shock loss
- Valley/JPC opens up handy Coalfields Cup lead
- Newcastle rugby community mourns sudden loss of beloved player Sam Morgan
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