In sopping wet conditions, and with a finals spot on the line, an enthralling battle was played out between Sydney FC and visitors Newcastle Jets. The two could not be split with the final score 2-2.

The draw enough to put Sydney FC in the finals while Newcastle Jets needed a Perth Glory defeat of Canberra United, which did not eventuate, ending their finals hopes.

With finals intensity buzzing through the stands, a bus load of Jets fans arrived at Lambert Park ready to rival the locals in cheering on their side.

The opening whistle saw Sydney FC jump off the line and flood forward using the flanks to send in crosses. Sydney set the pace and overwhelmed the Jets.

Jets were able to settle things down and start to counter via a very vibrant Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Emily van Egmond but a Sydney corner resulted in a stunning Amy Harrison volley opening the scoring.

Harrison's shot earning her a spot in the season highlights reel and also netting Sydney FC's historical 200th W-league goal.

The sky blues held the momentum with Chloe Logarzo zipping up and down the right cutting the defence while Renee Rollason kept the backline tight with support from Servet Uzunlar and Teresa Polias.

Then the rains arrived.

Torrential pouring rain began battering the players and the game slowed dramatically as suddenly the ball became unpredictable skidding here and there.

Newcastle Jets showed a natural adaptation to the conditions with quick one touch flick passes and tight formation resulting in the ability to (somewhat) play football.

The teams returned from the halftime break and Jets were all over Sydney and the feeling was a Jets goal.

A penalty was awarded for an 18 yard box player pile but Jets captain Van Egmond uncharacteristically skied the shot in what eventuates to be a decisive moment for the Jets.

Far from done, Jets striker Rhali Dobson stunned everyone with a beautiful cushion on the chest before turning Teigen Allen and beating Dumont at the near post just minutes later.

Score was drawn 1-1 and an incredible comeback was on the cards.

But the referee finally accepted the inevitable and stopped the game due to a waterlogged pitch.

The field had become unplayable, the brand new artificial turf of Lambert Park sitting deep in water unable to drain quick enough in the heavy rain.

Whispers in the stands was that the game may be abandoned and enough minutes had been played to keep the result.

The players left the field while the officials swum around the park inspecting the growing puddles. Ten minutes later the announcer declared the game will continue despite continued rain.

The pitch remained seemingly unplayable but deemed okay to proceed as the conditions worsened. The ball unable to travel more than 30cm when passed was either dropping dead on contact with the surface or skidding out with no bounce.

Football tactics out the window, the challenge was set for the team most apt at clever volleys and short interplay.

Newcastle was this team.

The Jets maintained their edge with Dobson, Angela Salem and Tara Andrews working well to hold possession and flick the ball around.

Next thing a lovely cross into the box is expertly headed in by Andrews and Jets everywhere erupt in celebration as they suddenly lead 2-1.

The game seemingly lost for Sydney as they fight for an equaliser in conditions so wet that it is hard to see the ball and the waterfall of rain drowns out all other noise.

The second coming of Kyah Simon lifted spirits and her patient approach in the dire conditions proved critical. Simon coolly took her own earned penalty reminiscent of her iconic Asian Cup winning penalty shot in similarly insane conditions.

The fingertips of Casey Dumont the only thing keeping Sydney FC in the game when Tori Huster went for the winner in the dying minutes.

An incredible intense affair left a stunned and shell-shocked crowd at the final whistle.

Sky Blue fans unsure how they came out alive. Sydney FC remaining the only club to secure a finals berth in 7 out of 7 W-league seasons.

Canberra United's unexpected win on Sunday knocked out a tireless Newcastle Jets from finals contention and there is not a W-league fan who doesn't feel disappointed for them.

The Jets put on an impressive season with a talented team but fell short by the smallest of margins.

Now the battle of Sydney FC's life as they head to Perth to face Premiers Glory who recently decimated Sydney 5-0. Not all is woe for the Sydney FC camp however as they fondly remember narrowly securing 4th position and subsequently winning a Championship in 2012/13.

Sydney FC 2 (Amy Harrison 22’, Kyah Simon 78’ pen)

Newcastle Jets 2 (Rhali Dobson 50’, Tara Andrews 67’)

Saturday 6 December 2014

Lambert Park, Sydney

Local kick-off: 5pm

Referee: Kirralee Andruschak

Sydney FC: Casey Dumont (gk), Teresa Polias, Jasmyne Spencer, Servet Uzunlar, Nicola Bolger (Kyah Simon 53’), Amy Harrison (Trudy Camilleri 57’), Renee Rollason, Natalie Tobin, Chloe Logarzo (Alesha Clifford 74’), Teigen Allen, Samantha Johnson

Substitutes – Sian McLaren (gk)

Cautions – Teigen Allen 69’

Newcastle Jets: Hannah Southwell (gk), Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Hayley Crawford, Katherine Reynolds, Angela Salem, Tori Huster, Tara Andrews, Emily van Egmond, Rhali Dobson, Elizabeth Copus-Brown (Amber Neilson 70’), Cassidy Davis

Substitutes – Claire Coelho (gk), Sophie Nenadovic, Brooke Miller

Cautions – Georgia Yeoman-Dale 41’, Angela Salem 86’