Super sub fires Jets to ALW comeback over Sky Blues

Joanna Guelas | January 13, 2026

Newcastle substitute Charlotte Lancaster has nailed a long-range goal in added time to fire the Jets to a comeback 2-1 win over Sydney FC.

With the scores level at one goal apiece, Lancaster came off the bench in the 81st minute at Leichhardt Oval and scored the match-winner from outside the box a minute into added time.

Tuesday night’s result was a sucker punch for Sydney FC, who had ended a five-game goal drought through Amelia Cassar’s 18th-minute opener.

Their lead didn’t last long, with Newcastle winger Melina Ayres’ 29th-minute shot going in off the post.

Lancaster’s injury-time effort keeps the Jets’ unlikely finals hopes alive, with the visitors surging to seventh (4-1-5).

Only goal difference ranks them below sixth-placed Brisbane Roar, who are also on 13 points but have played two fewer games than Newcastle.

While the Jets snapped a four-game losing streak, first-year coach Stephen Hoyle will be without regular centre-back Claudia Cicco against league leaders Melbourne City on Friday.

Cicco must serve a one-game suspension after earning her fifth yellow card of the season for fouling Hana Lowry in the 86th minute.

“I’m asking the players at the moment to be braver and show more courage when they play the game,” Hoyle said.

“It’s also my responsibility to be brave and on the front foot … so we will have a real good go at Melbourne City.”

Sydney FC – five-time champions and premiers – languish in 10th (2-4-4) after extending their winless streak to six games.

Ante Juric’s side have now lost their past three games to Newcastle, last winning on January 21, 2024.

“We never should have lost that,” Juric said.

“But that’s sometimes life in football. You’ve got to knuckle down and keep going.

“If we weren’t making chances, I personally would be stressed, because then how are you going to score?

“But we’re actually making good chances. Just need to get that final little product and a little bit of luck, and then we’ll be okay.”

Newcastle winger Josie Allan – on return to the starting line-up – opened the door for Sydney after giving up possession to Cassar in the hosts’ attacking half.

With Newcastle goalkeeper Anna Leat scrambling to return to her line, Cassar ran down the right wing unchallenged and launched from well outside the box to score in spectacular fashion.

The visitors hit back thanks to a cross from Lauren Allen.

Jets striker Haley Johnson’s header fell short, but Ayres managed to thread the ball past three Sydney FC defenders to level the scores.

Newcastle were lucky to avoid giving away a penalty when Sydney winger Riley Tanner was taken down in the box by India Breier in the 82nd minute.

But Breier was only shown the yellow card after being adjudged to have fouled Tanner just outside the penalty area.

Matildas hopeful Lowry was unable to take advantage of the free kick and sent it over the crossbar.