The Jets scored twice in the opening 30 minutes on the way to a 2-0 second-round win and if not for a handful of Cooper’s last-ditch defensive efforts, the scoreline could have been worse.

A disappointed former Matilda admitted after the game she needed to improve her own performances in order to return to the national setup.

“My performances are getting there, but if I want to be a Matilda and (play) in the World Cup qualifiers next year I need to be on my best game,” she said.

“Today was a bit better than last week, but there’s always room for improvement.”

Sydney’s slow start again reared its head.

After they conceded inside 30 seconds last weekend, Jets midfielder Nikola Orgill arrived late at the back post to head into an empty net and put the hosts ahead inside 90 seconds.

Amy Harrison and Remy Siemsen then went within inches of equalising for the Sky Blues within three minutes of each other.

In the 20^th minute, Cooper slid in to deny Jets striker Katherine Stengel’s attempt on goal.

Arin Gilliland then extended Newcastle's lead in the 29^th minute when she also arrived at the back post after a cross from the left hand side.

The 29-year-old Wauchope junior admitted Sydney’s defending needed to be better.

“We’re missing something and it’s a short season so we really need to pull things together and pick ourselves up for next week against Canberra,” she said.

“They’re a quality side and you can’t afford to lose three in a row.”

Cooper admitted it was disappointing Sydney didn’t learn from its mistakes last week.

They had the added bonus of Lisa De Vanna’s return.

“Last week it was desire and we’re not working hard for each other which is sad and you can see Newcastle today all over the field; they wanted it way more than us,” she said.