A resolute Newcastle Jets defence has kept Westfield W-League leaders Brisbane Roar at bay, claiming a 0-0 draw at Ballymore.
A determined Newcastle Jets side has held on for a 0-0 draw with Westfield W-League front-runners Brisbane Roar at Ballymore on Saturday afternoon.
The Jets stood tall in the face of wave after wave of Roar attack for the duration of the match with goalkeeper Allison Lipsher turning in an excellent individual performance to claim a hard-earned clean sheet.
Brisbane striker Tameka Butt has proven to be a difficult customer for Newcastle to handle in the past, and the Westfield Matilda once again showed why she-s one of the competition-s most dangerous players. But with strike partner Lisa De Vanna unusually quiet, Butt was kept well contained by Lipsher and her defensive cohorts.
The Jets weren-t without their own chances in front of goal, though, and in just the eighth minute Nicole Cross had the opportunity to give the visitors a surprise lead. However, the midfielder couldn-t keep her header down when it appeared that all the hard work had been done.
Meanwhile, De Vanna was gifted perhaps the best chance of the opening stanza after some neat build-up play on the edge of the area saw her played clean through on goal. Her right-footed effort had the beating of Lipsher, but the woodwork intervened to send both teams into the break scoreless.
An increasingly scrappy second-half saw the Roar change things up on the hour mark, bringing on Emily Gielnik and Amy Chapman as the home side sought the goal that their lead-up play arguably deserved.
Then, with 10 minutes to play, Butt appeared to have opened up the Jets- resolute rearguard for the definitive time. However, this was to be Lipsher-s match, as she launched herself forward fearlessly to smother the ball when one-on-one with the striker.
The match ended in somewhat controversial circumstances as the Roar had penalty appeals turned away in the final minute of play when a De Vanna strike hit a curious deflection.
But the Jets would do enough to hold on to their competition point, displaying the grit and determination that has become synonymous with Hunter sporting sides.
Brisbane Roar: 0
Newcastle Jets: 0
