Melbourne City will be looking to continue its dream start to the 2022/23 A-League Women’s season when it plays host to Newcastle Jets at Casey Fields this Saturday afternoon.
City will be coming into this weekend’s fixture full of confidence after recording emphatic victories over Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar in the opening two matches.
City is quickly asserting itself as an offensive powerhouse, terrorising opposition defences on its way to netting a whopping seven goals in just two games.
New recruits Bryleeh Henry and Maria Jose Rojas found the back of the net once again in last weekend’s 3-0 victory over the Roar, a trend they’ll be looking to continue against a Jets defence that has been left vulnerable at times this season.
The Jets have conceded two goals in all of their games this season, and with the likes of Rojas and Henry upfront, City will be aiming to put a few past the Newcastle defence.
Currently sitting in fifth on the ladder, Newcastle has had a mixed start to the new campaign, recording a loss, win and draw in their opening three matches.
The Jets are coming off a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory after substitute Ashlee Brodigan scored a late equaliser to take home a point.
City’s rising star in goal, Sally James, will be looking to make it back-to-back shutouts after recording her first clean sheet of the season in the win over the Roar after an unlucky late deflection denied her from doing so in Round 1.
Head Coach Dario Vidosic opted not to rush back Emma Checker from the knee injury that kept her sidelined for the opening match of the season, with the City captain instead making her return as a substitute in the 70th minute.
After looking good in that cameo and with another week on the training track under her belt, Checker looks to be in the mix for a starting spot. This means Vidosic could be forced to make a tough decision on which player will be squeezed out of a backline that has performed so well to start the season.
A win on Saturday would see City join Western United as the only remaining undefeated teams in the 2022/23 A-League Women’s season, while also leap-frogging their crosstown rival who won’t be in action this week.
Match Details
Liberty A-League: Round 4
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
Casey Fields (VFL Oval)
Saturday 10 December, 3:00pm kick-off
