Credit: Emily Mogic Credit: Emily Mogic

Newcastle welcomes Melbourne Victory to Adamstown Oval this Saturday with both sides looking to bounce back from last week’s performances.

Newcastle travelled to Perth last Saturday and started brightly going up 2-0 early thanks to goals from Tara Andrews and a stunning low strike from Sophie Nenadovic.

The Jets were let down by their defence with fatigue playing a big part on the day as they then conceded 2 goals by half time.

Mariana Tabain pounced in the 67th minute to add a third unanswered goal to complete a remarkable comeback and a much needed three points for the home side.

The Victory were also on the road as they took on Western Sydney Wanderers. Melbourne looked set for Victory after an unfortunate own goal to Linda O’Neill in the first half.

However five minutes from time a Jessica Seaman rocket from the edge of the box found the top corner for the Wanderers to share the points and in the process deny the chance for Melbourne to go outright top of the table.

The Jets will welcome back Grace Macintyre who missed the trip to Perth due to illness while the Victory will be anticipating the debut of on loan defender Lauren Barnes as they look to sure up their defence leading into the finals.

Melbourne Victory will be after nothing less than a win this weekend as they chase outright top spot on the W-League ladder, currently only behind Sydney FC on goal difference.

Lisa De Vanna will be a player to look out for her partnership with Jess Fishlock and on of the competitions leading goal scorer Caitlin Friend forming a dangerous combination combining for plenty of goals this season.

Friend will be looking to continue her good form against the Jets after scoring a hat trick when the two teams met back in Round Four. A match that Newcastle will be looking to put behind them as the final score resulted in a 6-0 win to the Victorians.

Jets have been steadily on the improve since that forgettable day in December coming close to securing their first win last week and can take some confidence that they were able to score goals early and lead a match for the first time this season.

The Victory have never won in Newcastle, with the only other meeting in the Hunter being a thrilling 3-3 draw in the last round of last season which denied Melbourne a home semi.

Head to Head: Played 7, Newcastle 0, Melbourne 6, Draw 1

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory

Saturday 25 January 2014

Adamstown Oval, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 11am 

Newcastle Jets squad:  1. Eliza Campbell (gk), 2. Hannah Brewer, 3. Stacey Day, 4. Siahn Bozanic, 5. Ciara McCormick, 6. Ashley Spina, 7. Gema Simon, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Rhali Dobson, 11. Grace McIntyre, 13, Jasmin Courtenay, 14. Sophie Nenadovic, 14, Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 18. Clare Wheeler, 20. Claire Coelho (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Grace McIntyre (returns from illness), Jasmin Courtenay, Libby Copus-Brown (both promoted)

Outs: Hannah Beard (thigh – one/two weeks), Lauren Brown (omitted)

Unavailable: Maddy Searl (knee – season)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 14. Enza Barilla 16. Beattie Goad 17. Gulcan Koca 18. Emily Hulbert 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) 22. Lauren Brown

Ins: Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign, USA), Tiffany Eliadis, Emily Hulbert (both promoted)

Outs: Emma Checker (knee), Laura Spiranovic, Cindy Lay (both omitted)

Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Alex Natoli (hamstring - one week), Emma Checker (knee – one/three weeks)