PHOTO: Adam Butler PHOTO: Adam Butler

Newcastle host Adelaide in the final round of the W-League.

Newcastle will be looking for that elusive win to avoid the record books for the worst W-League season.

The record for that to date is held by their opponents Adelaide United who went through the 2010/11 season without any points losing all ten matches.

Last weekend Newcastle were defeated 5-0 by Canberra United at McKellar Park.

Newcastle hardly troubled the hosts but weren’t helped by the soring temp in the high 30’s.

While the much improved Adelaide fought out a respectable 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at home.

The Roar took the lead through Emily Gielnik in the 64th minute and perhaps in days gone by that would have been “the straw that broke the camel’s back” for the Reds.

However the former W-League easy beats are not that team and in the 87th minute the Reds were rewarded for their fighting qualities when youngster Emily Condon beat the defence and her shot deflected off the post and into the back of the net.

Newcastle have generally had a good record against the Lady Reds including the clubs biggest ever win, a 7-1 victory in January 2011, which included a Tara Andrews hat trick.

Adelaide were the last side the Jets tasted success against, a 4-0 win back in Round Five of last season. This match promises to be tougher for the home side who have struggled to get a result stemming from inconsistent performances in matches so far.

Adelaide United have undergone a resurgence this season with a new coach in Ross Aloisi overseeing the recruiting of former Jet and Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri who has been a revelation for the side.

A good communicator Barbieri has steered the United defence and led the cultural change at the club making some great saves to keep her side in matches.

Adelaide’s performances have resulted in their best season by far including upset wins over Brisbane Roar away (1-0) and perhaps the biggest shock of all a 2-0 home win over competition heavy weighs Canberra United.

Newcastle and Adelaide met in round three of this season with the Reds winning 3-1 after an eight minute blitz put the Jets out of the contest.

The match was evenly poised until the 25th minute when Tiarn Powell opened the scoring, followed by Alexandra Gummer on the half hour mark before Powell scored again two minutes later to make it 3-0. The Jets added a consolation goal in the 90th minute through Jasmine Courtenay.

Newcastle will be looking to the likes of Rhali Dobson, Tara Andrews in the quest to end the season on a high note.

Head to Head: Played 10, Newcastle 5, Adelaide 3, Draw 2

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United

Saturday 8 February 2014

Wanderers Oval, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 3pm

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 (c), 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Rhali Dobson, 11. Grace McIntyre, 12. Hannah Beard, 13. Jasmin Courtenay, 16. Cassidy Davis, 18. Clare Wheeler, 19. Adrianna Jones, 20. Claire Coelho (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Ashley Spina, Hannah Beard (both return from injury)

Outs: Lauren Brown (omitted)

Unavailable: Maddy Searl (knee)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 6. Laura STOCKDALE, 7. Rachael QUIGLEY, 8. Emily CONDON, 9. Lisa-Marie WOODS, 10. Monique IANNELLA, 12. Daila TAIS-BORG, 15. Jenna McCORMICK, 17. Tiarn POWELL, 18. Jessica NAGEL, 19. Daniela Di BARTOLO, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 21. Snez VELJANOVSKA 23. Kristy MOORE (c), 24. Louise MASON

Ins: Daniela Di Bartolo (promoted)

Outs: Jayah Brown (omitted)

Unavailable: Bianca Gray (knee), Isabel Hodgson (injury)