With a late brace from Melina Ayres to complete an amazing 3-2 comeback win over Melbourne Victory at No. 2 Sportsground on Saturday afternoon, Newcastle Jets maintained their hopes of for the finals.
Following Lauren Allan’s equalizer shortly before halftime, goals from Rachel Lowe and Tori Hansen gave the visitors a 2-1 lead in the second half. The visitors maintained this advantage until Ayres reversed the tide against her former team in the 80th minute.
After coming off the bench, Ayres scored twice in the next seven minutes to help the Jets win 3-2. She scored the game-winning goal from the edge of the box with a shot that went into the top-left corner.
With three points versus Victory, the Jets tied sixth-place Western Sydney Wanderers on thirty points, ensuring that Newcastle would continue to compete for a postseason berth until the last round of play.
Due to her involvement in a late altercation that was started by Emily Gielnik and Melinda J. Barbieri, Jets goalkeeper Izzy Nino was given a straight red card and will not play for her team against Adelaide United in the final round.
“Newcastle continues their season in the most incredible way!” The last whistle blew, commentator Teo Pellizzeri said.
“Melina Ayres returned to haunt the Melbourne Victory, her old team. The Jets overcame a deficit with two goals to win.
“A match that ended in discord, with Izzy Nino being sent off… Melbourne Victory hasn’t secured their berth in the top six, and Newcastle is still in the running. What a Newcastle contest!
The Jets broke numerous records in the thrilling victory, breaking their eight-game losing streak against Victory and their longest home losing streak against the visiting team since September 2014.
Victory only needed a point to guarantee their postseason berth, but they will have to battle Sydney FC in Round 22 to earn their finals berth.
After 15 minutes, the Jets were behind, and the hosts were unfortunate to be behind after hitting the woodwork twice before to Victory’s opening goal.
After leaping in to divert Sarina Bolden’s header from a corner into the roof of the net, Sophie Hoban was the first to rattle the crossbar. However, a touch off Victory defender Jamilla Rankin preserved the day for the visitors.
Bolden was the next Jet to have a close-range opportunity; she cleared her defender to meet Lauren Allan’s cross at the back post and struck the crossbar with her header.
Soon later, victory made the wound worse. With a cutback cross, Emily Gielnik found Rachel Lowe, who scored her 11th goal of the year after Sara D’Appolonia passed her the ball after Lowe’s volleyed attempt missed.
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