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The Newcastle Jets were defeated by Melbourne Victory 4-1 at Adamstown Oval on Saturday.The win allowed the visitors to keep pace with leaders Sydney FC who are ahead only on goal difference.

The win didn’t come easy however with Newcastle putting up a fight for the majority of the match before a second half burst from Lisa De Vanna ensured the visitors would go home with the three points.

The match started evenly with both sides creating opportunities before former Jet, Lisa De Vanna opened the scoring after outpacing Newcastle defenders and chipping Eliza Campbell, who despite previously preventing early opportunities to Friend and De Vanna, could do little about the cool, calm finish.

Newcastle had chances to find an equalizer with perhaps the best chance falling to Tara Andrews who shrugged off a challenge from Jessica Humble and shooting from a tight angle at the near post which was blocked by Victory defender Lauren Barnes for a corner.

Stacey Day’s introduction after just twenty minutes after an injury to Sophie Nenadovic worked wonders for Newcastle in terms of holding possession in midfield. Playing in the forwards, a role the defender has played a lot in the local WPL.

Day was effective in this role and she was able to use her strength and height to hold off defenders.

Day along with rising star Campbell were the two standouts for the home side along with the hard working Rhali Dobson, who was eventually awarded, getting on the score sheet after heading home a well taken Simon free kick late in the second half.

The difference between the two sides?

Lisa De Vanna.

De Vanna was the clear standout for the Victory continuing her love of scoring goals against her former teams.

Her pace was simply too much for the experienced Hannah Brewer as Newcastle’s right edge was given a bath and the crowd treated to some Lisa De Vanna magic.

After opening the scoring after 12 minutes the Victory may have been thinking a repeat of their last meeting may have been on the cards.

However the home side have progressed little by little despite the results not being there to show it. They put up a fight for the remainder of the first half lead by Day in the midfield.

In the second half the Jets were undone by a five minute period that saw three goals, brought about by the place and skill of Lisa De Vanna.

De Vanna used her pace to get in behind Newcastle’s retreating defence, steaming into the box from the left looking for a teammate to produce a cross, however with none forthcoming a quick thinking De Vanna squeezed a shot past Campbell to double her tally and the Victory’s lead.

Her third goal perhaps the best of the lot came two minutes later after a ball over the top found her in a battle with Brewer.

Her clever touch with the head gave just enough space to skip away and finish with her second touch across an outstretched Campbell to complete the hat trick. De Vanna turned provider giving her Captain an early birthday present with a beautiful back heel for Stephanie Catley to finish.

The jets weren’t going to lay down despite being four goals down and were rewarded for their fighting qualities with a goal to Rhali Dobson after a good solid period of play from the Jets who created opportunities and started to build momentum late in the match.

However a bazar turn of events coming in the form of a leg injury to the assistant referee halted the Jets momentum.

Newcastle’s match was very similar to Canberra and Perth on Sunday afternoon, with that match being an even contest in terms of the score line before it match blew out in the second period resulting in a 5-1 win to Canberra.

With Canberra their next opponent playing what will be their third game in six days the Jets should take some belief out of their recent performances against top sides Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. They have played well for longer periods of matches but must play for the full 90 minutes.

So are they really a chance of pulling of an upset next weekend?

Canberra will be a little be feeling the effects of playing three matches in a week. If Newcastle play for the full 90 and take the chances when they come, anything is possible.