A goal-of-the-year contender from Tiana Jaber was not enough to end a tumultuous week on a high for Newcastle Jets as Western Sydney Wanderers secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw in their A-League Women clash.
A goal-of-the-year contender from Tiana Jaber was not enough to end a tumultuous week on a high for Newcastle Jets as Western Sydney Wanderers secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw in their A-League Women clash.
It was a debut Wanderers goal for Blacktown-local Crofts who had entered the fray during the second half.
The late equaliser left the Jets rueing a host of missed opportunities in the latter stages.
The Jets were rocked by a COVID-19 case in midweek, reportedly Kirsty Fenton, with the defender not travelling for the match, while Lauren Allan was an 11th-hour omission after initially being named on the teamsheet.
A meandering and disjointed first half played in hot conditions was punctuated by Jaber’s strike which flew over the head of Sarah Willacy from 30 metres.
Emily van Egmond again turned out for the Jets as part of her short guest stint, but aside from the odd clever pass, the Matildas’ midfielder was unable to create many goalscoring opportunities.
The Wanderers barely troubled the opposition goal until the latter stages of the second half. Notably Bryleeh Henry blazed over from close range on the follow-up after Olivia Price’s freekick came back off the post.
But the Wanderers finally got reward for their late endeavour as Crofts managed to lift her snapped shot over goalkeeper Georgia Boric.
