Newcastle Jets keep their finals hopes alive by comfortably defeating Sydney FC 3-1 on a warm Saturday afternoon at Lambert Park. 

The first half was scoreless but certainly not without action as the play was end-to-end.

Early on Sydney looked the goods and it felt that an opener was inevitable. Jets showed impressive defensive discipline to keep the game scoreless moving into the halftime break.

Megan Oyster was a standout for Jets winning every header and boxing out Sydney runs. 

The Jets were a hungry team knowing that a loss or draw was not good enough to keep their finals hopes alive. 

Sydney FC were able to penetrate the Jets backline with clever passes in behind to Leena Khamis, Francesca Ordega and a very quick Caitlin Foord. But it was the offside flag that proved a difficult foe with a few good build up plays called offside

The second half was a similar story for Sydney. Lots of opportunities but the final pass letting them down. 

Sydney had periods of attacking dominance but Jets were able to wear the pressure when so many other teams have faltered and conceded. Frustration settled into the Sky Blues and they began to play poor passes in the midfield turning the ball over in dangerous positions.

Rowland in the nets was a Jets superstar saving a point blank shot from Remy Siemsen . However the second half was really the Arin Gilliland show as she netted an incredible hattrick in just 20 minutes.

Gilliland was in the right place at the right time all game and showed professional calm as she coolly netted three goals that included a low shot in the box, a header, and capitalising from a goalkeeper error.

Jets made strong early subs in Rhali Dobson and Ashlee Brodigan. Dobson's pace unable to be matched as she tore holes in the Sydney FC backline. 

Sydney's subs coming too little too late. Sydney looked lacklustre and static off the ball when compared to their usual high work rate.

Jets announced to the rest of the W-league that they will fight for finals to the very end with this solid win. City will be concerned to see this never say die attitude as the two meet next round in what will most likely be the battle for 4th place.

Sydney FC may have watched their Premiership dreams evaporate with this loss however can take comfort in seeing the return of the talented Amy Harrison from injury. 

Sydney will need a win next week against Adelaide United in Adelaide if they hope to get a home final but in a very close W-league ladder all eyes will be on Canberra United and Perth Glory's upcoming results.

MATCH DETAILS

Sydney FC 1 (Kyah Simon 93’)

Newcastle Jets 3 (Arin Gilliland 57’, 74’, 79’)

Saturday 21 January 2017

Venue: Lambert Park

Kick-Off: 5:00PM

Referee: Rebecca Durcau

Sydney FC: Sham Khamis (gk), Teresa Polias, Liz Ralston, Servet Uzunlar, Nicola Bolger (Olivia Price 77’), Caitlin Foord, Francisca Ordega (Remy Siemsen 84’), Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon, Leena Khamis (Amy Harrison 77’)

Substitutes – Sarah Easthope (gk)

Newcastle Jets: Katelyn Rowland (gk), Megan Oyster, Arin Gilliland, Cassidy Davis, Gema Simon (c), Jen Hoy, Grace McIntyre, Elizabeth Copus-Brown (Ashlee Brodigan 53’), Liana Danaskos (Sophie Nenadovic 82’), Jenna Kingsley (Rhali Dobson 64’), Clare Wheeler

Substitutes – Claire Coelho (gk)

Cautions – none