<\/p>\n
Newcastle captain Cassidy Davis scored her first ever A-League Women goal at the perfect moment to secure a 3-2 home win over Wellington and help her side all-but-avoid the wooden spoon.<\/p>\n
Davis unleashed a rocket in the 82nd minute to give the hosts the lead and take the Jets to 14 points – five clear of last-placed Phoenix.<\/p>\n
The Jets have one game remaining, away at Sydney FC next Saturday, while Wellington have two.<\/p>\n
The New Zealanders travel to Adelaide on Tuesday before hosting Melbourne Victory next Saturday, but the Jets are in prime position to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.<\/p>\n
After scores were locked up at 1-1 at the break, Phoenix winger Paige Satchell gave the visitors the lead with a clinical finish in the 53rd minute after forward Betsy Hassett had set her up beautifully.<\/p>\n
The setback sparked the Jets back into life and a shot by substitute striker Ashlee Brodigan was deflected in by Wellington defender Kate Taylor to level things up again before Davis sealed it with her late screamer.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix, who had beaten heavyweights Sydney FC 1-0 away a fortnight ago, started with a confidence belying their lowly position.<\/p>\n
Winger Michaela Robertson was dangerous in the early exchanges as they peppered the Newcastle goal.<\/p>\n
Set-piece specialist Michaela Foster stepped up to deliver a pinpoint corner for fellow defender Marisa van der Meer to head home in the 26th minute, and at that point the visitors were right on top.<\/p>\n
But Wellington’s goal ignited the Jets into action.<\/p>\n
After several efforts on the Phoenix goal, Davis struck a slicing ball into the box.<\/p>\n
Jets goal-poacher Lauren Allan slid on her knees to get boot to ball at the far post in a classic forward’s finish to ensure the two sides went to the break level.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix were wooden-spooners in their inaugural season in the ALW in 2021-22. They have shown recent signs of an upwards trajectory but are likely to end up bottom again.<\/p>\n
It has been a tough season for the Jets, too, with coach Ash Wilson stepping down mid-season.<\/p>\n
The club’s former title-winning men’s boss Gary van Egmond took over on an interim basis and was recently extended as ALW head coach for next season in a bid to add stability to the women’s side.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n