The Western Sydney Wanderers were left frustrated after a thrilling encounter at CommBank Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets, leaving both sides searching for ground in the race for Finals Football.
The Wanderers made a dream start, with Talia Younis scoring inside the opening 46 seconds – her first goal for the season.
From around 30 metres out, Younis’s low strike caught goalkeeper Georgia Ritchie off guard, sneaking just inside the right post and sending the home fans into raptures.
From there, the Wanderers controlled much of the first half, registering 14 shots, showing intent and energy in every attack.
Younis was a constant threat down the left wing, taking on defenders and creating opportunities, although only two of those early efforts tested Ritchie directly.
Unfortunately, her bright start was curtailed by a leg injury just before half time, forcing an early substitution.
The Jets, meanwhile, grew into the game in the second half, testing Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis and the backline more frequently.
Between half time and the 75th minute, Newcastle had five shots, three on target, with Khamis and her defenders standing firm to keep the Wanderers in front until the 78th minute.
Newcastle found a well-earned equaliser when Melina Ayres got on the end of Sophie Hoban’s cutback from the right and slid the ball past a diving Khamis, leaving the score at 1-1.
The draw does little to help either side’s finals ambitions.
The Wanderers remain four points behind sixth-placed Melbourne Victory, while Newcastle are three points adrift, meaning every remaining match is now crucial in the final stretch of the season.
Next up, the Wanderers travel to Canberra, ready to regroup and chase the three points, while Newcastle host Perth Glory in what promises to be another pivotal clash.
