The fifth placed Newcastle Jets host second placed Sydney FC in a much anticipated clash between the State rivals at Magic Park.

In Round 4 the Jets produced a comprehensive 4-0 win over Adelaide United whilst Sydney FC were forced to share the points with cross border rivals Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue.

The Jets had previously scored one goal in each of their three opening matches and have always looked like they had more goals in them; it was only a matter of time before the attack clicked.

Newcastle hit red hot form against Adelaide United putting four past the Reds in a dominate performance led by player of the match Rhali Dobson with two goals and an assist.

Sydney FC also displayed some of their best football of the season despite conceding late in the match to draw with Melbourne.

Sydney’s midfield trio of captain Teresa Polias, reigning player of the year Nicola Bolger and newcomer Natalie Tobin were on fire in both attack and defence winning 1-on-1 battles and strangling Victory’s passing game.

The key player for Sydney FC will be Jasmyne Spencer who certainty lives up to her twitter handle (@Jas_it_Up) with four goals so far this season to lead the way for the Sky Blues in the absence of Kyah Simon.

Whilst Newcastle will look forward to Rhali Dobson continuing her good form netting 3 goals in her past two matches.

Georgia Yeoman-Dale has been a constant performer so far this season and has made the right back position her own. Her pace bombing forward from right back and ability to turn defenders inside out has troubled opposition sides and it may only be a matter of time before she gets on the scoresheet herself.

The Jets will miss Ashley Spina who  suffered a season ending ACL injury having forged a good partnership with Hayley Crawford in defence. Cassidy Davis came on as her replacement last week and could be a possibility to replace her in the starting side whilst Brooke Miller has been drafted in as injury replacement from emerging Jets.

Sydney also have a mid-season replacement but of the coaching staff with Dan Barrett taking the reigns for the Sky Blues in the post-Alen Stajcic era.  Although no stranger to the team, Barrett will be keen to commence his W-League managerial career with a win.

A win here, against a top side would be ideal for Newcastle in their push for the finals and they will be full of confidence after a top shelf performance last weekend.

The words of a great Rugby League coach, Warren Ryan, can be applied to the task that lies ahead of the Jets this week: “The best way to prepare for finals football is to play finals football”

The last time these two sides met it was Sydney FC who comfortably prevailed 3-0 however this Jets side is a different proposition and with both sides in good form, the stage is set for an absolute cracker.

Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC

Saturday 11 October 2014

Magic Park, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 3pm

Newcastle Jets squad: 2. Georgia Yeoman-Dale,  3. Hayley Crawford, 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Tori Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson, 12. Sophie Nenadovic, 15. Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 20. Claire Coelho (GK), 21. Renee Rudder (GK), 24. Brooke Miller

Ins: Brooke Miller (Injury replacement – Emerging Jets)

Outs: Ashley Spina (knee – season)

Unavailable: Hannah Southwell (Australian U-17s)

Sydney FC squad: 1. Casey Dumont (gk), 2. Teresa Polias, 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Nicola Bolger, 8. Amy Harrison, 9. Ellyse Perry, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Natalie Tobin, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 14. Olivia Price, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)

Ins: Ellyse Perry (promoted)

Unavailable:  Kyah Simon (knee – two weeks)