The Newcastle Jets scored eight minutes from time to beat the Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in their A-League womens game in Gosford.
Chloe Knott Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It was a vastly improved showing by the Phoenix from their last meeting with Newcastle just 17 days ago, which ended in a 5-1 defeat.
The new club looked on track to secure a hard-earned point until Jets substitute Jemma House bundled home the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute.
Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis had mixed emotions post-match.
"That game was like chalk and cheese for us. We were competitive in this game. We were struggling to even be competitive the last time we played them," Lewis said.
"It's one of those things where I'm stoked of the turnaround between games and the performances, and the girls really stepped up.
"But conceding in the late stages of the game is always a hard one to swallow, especially when I think we had moments to nick it."
Wellington had a number of shots on target without really testing Georgia Boric in the Newcastle goal, but Lewis believes the Phoenix should have been awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when Chloe Knott went to ground in the box.
"From where I was standing it looked like there was a lot in the back and the ankles were clipped.
"Chloe was trying to hold her ground and she couldn't and she kind of got pushed through.
"But I'd have to look back at the footage."
Gemma Lewis named an unchanged starting XI to face the Jets, with the only change coming on the bench where the fit-again Grace Jale replaced Jordan Jasnos
While the team is gutted Gemma Lewis says they have to quickly turn their attentions to Thursday evening's match against Sydney FC in Wollongon.
"As much as this hurts we can't sit here and dwell on it and like mourn it because actually we need to take the positives, take the learnings and move on.
"This is the A-League, we're in a season, we have to carry on and we have to push forward."
Meanwhile the A-League men's game between Wellington and Central Coast Mariners was postponed after a number of the Mariners players tested positive for COVID-19.
The match was pushed back just hours before kick-off and the Mariners' game against Macarthur FC on Dec. 31 is also in doubt.
Perth Glory have had four matches pushed back to 2022 after their squad were forced to quarantine following a positive test, while Melbourne City had a game postponed last week after six players tested positive.
