NEWCASTLE Jets scored half their total goals inside 10 minutes of their pre-season friendly in Taree on Sunday.
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For the first portion of the game, Mid North Coast were like a deer in the headlights on the way to a 12-0 defeat to the 2017/18 W-League semi-finalists.
The Novocastrians were ruthless, finding the back of the net half a dozen times before the hosts settled into their groove and limited the amount of further damage.
Emily van Egmond scored a hat-trick, while Tara Andrews, Taylor Smith, Cortnee Vine and Katie Stengel all registered a brace and Jenna Kingsley also managed to get on the score sheet.
Craig Deans’ side headed to the sheds with a 12-goal advantage after 45 minutes, before a much-improved second half effort ensured Mid North Coast didn’t concede another goal.
“I would have liked to have seen them be a bit more clinical in front of goal,” the Jets coach said.
“I think we had a lot more clear-cut chances to score a few more goals.
“I think all in all it was hopefully a good day for the opposition girls as well to see the standard of the W-League.
“If there are any girls who have aspirations to play at that level they have now seen what’s required.”
Deans substituted his starting eleven after 65 minutes, allowing their Jets academy counterparts to run out the game.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, he was impressed with Mid North Coast’s fighting ability.
“The girls from Mid North Coast can be proud of the way they played,” Deans said.
“Hopefully they can remember the day they saw players like Emily (van Egmond), Katie Stengel and Taylor Smith and a few local girls as well in Cass Davis, Hannah Brewer and Clare Wheeler.
“There are plenty of players for them to look up to and aspire to be like.”
While Mid North Coast striker Courtney Anderson had limited opportunities in attack, she was a nuisance for the Jets defence on a handful of occasions where she had a sight on goal.
“I’ve seen Courtney throughout the WPL and watched the grand final a couple of months ago and she did well there,” Deans said.
“I think it’s challenging the jump from WPL level to the W-League and there’s a lot of hard work between that level, but she’s got some raw talent.
“It was difficult for her because she spent a lot of time without the ball.”
The Jets coach admitted the club enjoyed their whistle-stop tour to the Mid North Coast as they continue preparations for their upcoming W-League campaign.
“To bring a W-League team to a regional area is firstly the most important thing for us,” he said.
“And secondly, it’s the first time we’ve had everybody together for a game so far this pre-season so it was important we started working on our combinations within the game and some fitness as well.”
Overall, Deans was satisfied with the hit-out although there was still room for improvement.
“In general we need to do a bit of work on our execution in front of goal and our movement off the ball in the front third,” he said.
“But we’re one step ahead of where we were last year; we didn’t have enough players to play a pre-season game last year.
