A crowd of 2,303 were brightened by a 2-0 win to the Newcastle Jets on a wet a dreary evening in the Hunter.

Goals from Nicola Orgill and Arin Gilliland within the first half hour was enough to see of Sydney FC, who’ve enjoyed a good record in the Hunter in recent years.

Newcastle Jets: What went right

Tash Prior (Photo: Ann Odong)

As they did last week the Jets got off to a fast start, by opening the scoring early.

In doing so they allowed themselves some breathing space to settle in and adapt to the wet conditions and use their knowledge of the width of the stadium to their advantage.

No doubt the Jets also took advantage of having the extra week together, with Deans naming an unchanged starting side (including formation) from last week’s first up win.

The team looked like they had played together for a lot longer than the Sydney side. They settled quickest, began to move the ball around and combine nicely as a unit with everyone knowing their roles.

The midfield in particular took control of the match early with the Newcastle's engine room that includes Van Egmond, Huster and Gilliland, ensuring that Sydney had little time and space to find a rhythm.

When the substitutes came on they too slipped effortlessly into the side, particularly Cortney Vine who made a real impression on debut.

Vine ran without fear at the defence and created many chances for both herself and those around her, playing nicely off Stengel. She appeared to slot in seamlessly giving the Sydney defence something else to think worry about in the heavy conditions.

One notable area of improvement has been Newcastle’s use of set pieces this season.

Whenever they were presented with a corner Huster could deliver with pin point accuracy which the defence struggled to deal with & something that has been missing from the Jets arsenal in the past few years.

Sydney FC; What went right

Amy Harrison (Photo: Ann Odong)

Despite the score line it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Sydney.

Their attack looked dangerous at times with the likes of Princess Ibini, Remmy Seimen and Chloe Logarzo causing problems.

Combined with the hard-working Lisa De Vanna and Amy Harrison Sydney still have the potential to be top contenders this season and with a few games together under their belt there’s plenty for FC fans to be excited about in the weeks to come.

Sydney FC defiantly need to improve their defence. Just like last weekend they were caught out early through a mistake and just like last week they were punished inside the opening minutes.

Arin Gilliland was allowed to play a one-two, run into space and put in her cross for the first goal in which two defenders were attracted to Jenna Kingsley in the middle while no one paid attention to Nicola Orgill’s run, thus allowing her a free run to the back post to head home.

Also, again this weekend, the Sky Blues midfield struggled to assert themselves against their opposition.  From a team that W-League viewers are used to seeing them dictate the pace the game, it was notable that they were playing catch up.

In terms of the frontline, a noticeable lack of a dedicated playmaker is also hurting their chances.  On several occasions Siemsen, Ibini or De Vanna made the run out side or centrally but the ball was played to slowly to find them and the numbers advantage for the Jets won out.

With still three international spots available, a recognised 10 should be on the shopping list for Sydney.

How could the game have changed?

Sydney FC had a real opportunity to get back on level terms in the moments after the Jets had opened the scoring.

Remy Siemsen was played in by De Vanna, her shot from the top of the box skidded off the wet surface, beating an outstretched Britt Eckerstrom but only for the ball to cannon off the post.

On another day that goes in, the game is level and you can start again.

It would be the beginning of a frustrating pattern for Sydney FC who couldn’t capitalise on the chances they were presented with and something Ante Juric will be looking to rectify in his team ahead of their trip to the capital.

Up next

Sydney FC travel to the nation’s capital as they look to turn around their season against Canberra United while the high flying Newcastle Jets will be aiming for their best start to a W-League season away to Melbourne City.