Macarthur FC were able to come away 3-1 winners over the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, in a physical game with plenty of chances for both sides.
It was a scrappy start to the game, with both teams exchanging physical challenges in the midfield as they looked to stamp their authority on the fixture. Clayton Taylor had a shot fizz just over the crossbar after some good build-up play down the left with Bayliss and Wilmering. Macarthur had a few chances of their own, but none of them forced Ryan Scott into anything more than a routine save.
Newcastle drew first blood in the 18th minute, as Clayton Taylor drove at the Macarthur defence, before scooping his pass over the top to Ben Gibson, who was able to poke the ball through Kurto’s legs and into the goal. A chance to double the lead came minutes later, as Thomas Aquilina chested down a Wilmering cross, before firing his shot narrowly over the bar.
Macarthur were able to find an equaliser in the 23rd minute, as Vuijca found Germain unmarked in the box, with the veteran striker making no mistake as he tapped the ball into the open net. Despite the equaliser, Newcastle continued to look the better team, as they continued to create numerous chances. Another deadly Wilmering cross found the head of Thomas Aquilina, whose header was palmed over by Kurto. Halftime soon came, with the score deadlocked at 1-1.
Ten minutes into the second half, Lachlan Rose and Wellisol were brought on in place of Ben Gibson and Matthew Scarcella. A turnover in midfield led to a Macarthur equaliser, as Germain drove at goal before releasing Oliveira, whose shot was saved by Scott before falling to Jed Drew who tapped into the open net to give Macarthur the 2-1 lead 59 minutes in. Macarthur kept creating chances, with Jed Drew cutting a ball back across to Daniel De Silva, who fired his shot at goal, with Scott being forced to palm it over. Will Dobson was brought on for Clayton Taylor in the 75th minute.
Lachlan Bayliss forced a good save out of Kurto in the 77th minute, with his long range strike being tapped around the post by the Macarthur custodian. Lachie Rose was almost able to grab an equaliser, as his header beat Kurto but struck the outside of the post. Macarthur put the game out of reach with a third goal just into injury time, as Oliveira found space in the box before smashing his shot in at the near post. Full time and the score was 3-1 to Macarthur FC.
