W-League: Goal fest in Newcastle as Glory dominate

A youthful Jets outfit have gone down to last season’s W-League preliminary finalist’s Perth Glory 5-2 in an entertaining clash at Wanderers Oval.

Despite the sweltering conditions in Newcastle the match was played with a high intensity, with the Glory’s experience proving vital in an absorbing second half.

The match began in frantic fashion with Perth opening the scoring within thirty seconds of the kickoff, courtesy of Matildas striker Katie Gill.

An excellent cross from Marianna Tabain found Gill inside the area who slotted home the opening goal past a hapless Jets ‘keeper Eliza Campbell.

But the Jets struck back almost immediately after Tara Andrews threaded a neat ball to Hannah Beard who smashed it home from close range to make it one-all after five minutes.

Perth regained the lead in the 10th minute through Collette Mccallum who hit a well struck volley from 12 yards which rebounded off the crossbar but found its way over the line.

The pace of the game slowed after the frenetic opening as Perth began to dominate possession but were guilty of being caught offside after creating good opportunities.

Perth should have double their advantage in the 25th minute after Katie Gill delightfully put Christina Julien through one on one, but she blasted her shot over the bar.

But the Jets were handed a lifeline in the 35th minute after Hannah Beard was brought down inside the area by Glory keeper Chantel Jones, with the penalty converted by Tara Andrews.

Katie Gill was unlucky not to regain the lead for the Glory just before half-time after she hit the post with a well-timed volley from a lovely Marianna Tabain cross.

The second half started in a more cagey fashion with both sides looking to maintain possession.

But the Jets should have taken the lead after Tara Andrews was put through by Hannah Beard, but with only the keeper to beat she fired her shot over the bar.

The Jets were made to rue that missed opportunity after Christina Julien regained the lead for Perth thrashing a drive past Eliza Campbell.

Perth gradually wore down a youthful Jets lineup in the second half and should have doubled their advantage through substitute Rosie Sutton who missed an open goal after D’ovidio’s shot rebounded off the post.

But she atoned for her miss in the 81st minute slotting home a half volley from 10 yards after great build up from D’ovidio and a pinpoint cross from Julien.

The visitors added a fifth goal in the final minute of the match through Tobain who slotted home past Campbell after a mix up in the Jets defence.