For Jets W-League coach Craig Deans, it was a game they had to win – comfortably – if they want to a serious threat in the competition this season.
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In the end, Newcastle gave up a 1-0 lead and a dominant first-half performance to lose 2-1 to Canberra United at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday.
The Jets, beaten 5-2 by Melbourne City away last week after home wins over Western Sydney and Sydney, were in control early in the round-four game and led after eight minutes when captain Emily Van Egmond set up and converted a penalty.
Van Egmond put Arin Gilliland away on goal with a beautiful through ball and the American was pulled back by Aoife Colvill to give away an obvious penalty.
The Jets, missing Tori Huster (toe) and Natasha Prior (concussion), should have extended their lead but it was Canberra who took their chances after the break.
Canberra’s Ashleigh Sykes battled through the Jets back-line before scoring in the 48th minute and Toni Pressley came up with the matchwinner in the 67th with a header off a corner.
Deans was pleased with the improvement in his side from the City loss but frustrated with their finishing.
“I can’t fault the effort and the performance, but if we’re going to be serious about it, you have to win that game, comfortably,” Deans said.
The match, which attracted a crowd of 1133, was the first W-League game played at the Jets’ new base at Cooks Hill’s No.2 Sportsground.
