It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
For our Jets, we’ve had mixed results across the Christmas and New Years holidays, but in those include some great victories and performances.
This year our Men’s team will compete in a Boxing Day clash against Wanderers and New Years Day match with Melbourne City, while our Women face-off with Wellington Phoenix on December 27.
Here are some of our favourite matches that have taken place in the end of year holidays.
FIREWORKS TO FINISH THE YEAR
On the last day of 2011, our Women went to Sydney and gave Newcastle something to celebrate.
Current captain Gema Simon was the first on the scoresheet after 11 minutes, which was then followed by up Nicole Bolger just before half-time.
With a strong two-goal lead, an Alen Stajcic coached Sydney threatened to make a comeback, scoring through Renee Rollason but our team were able to resist and hold on for their victory against the top four hosts.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
It was our first match of the new year in 2012 when Gold Coast came to town and both teams put on a show.
Although the game started off rather stagnant, our Jets Men found the breakthrough with Jeremy Brockie late in the first half, before he then grabbed another giving us a strong lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
But the visitors turned the game around within six minutes with back-to-back goals.
Substitute Labinot Hailiti proved to be the difference maker though only seconds after conceding and started the year off on a happy note.
DEFEATING SYDNEY AT HO-HO-HOME
Later that year in the following season, our Jets looked to head into Christmas with a win under the belt as a travelling Sydney side arrived to play in front of over 17,000 fans.
Craig Goodwin got us off and running with an early goal, and it was backed up not too long later by towering forward Emile Heskey.
Although Sydney grabbed a goal back late in the first half, our team managed to stay ahead and fight off any potential comeback to give our fans a great Christmas gift.
SEASON’S BEATINGS IN BRISBANE
Towards the end of 2013, we jetted off to Brisbane to try and take down a high-flying Roar.
Hot on a winning streak, it was always going to be a tough task, but things turned in our favour when a James Donachie own goal midway through the first half gave us the advantage.
Joey Gibbs then sealed off the result in the 87th minute with his only goal for the Club, securing the three points in the process.
JETS SLEIGH WANDERERS
In our last home game of 2017, the Jets showcased a terrific display of football to leave the home fans smiling into Christmas.
Ironically, two of our goalscorers in the game are now featuring for the Wanderers, Steven Ugarkovic and Johnny Koutroumbis.
Jason Hoffman and Ben Kantarovski also got on the scoresheet to cap off a great day at home in front of almost 10,000 fans.
JOY TO THE GIRLS
Just after Christmas in 2017, our Women’s side travelled to Melbourne take on the Victory, focused on finishing the year on a high in front of over 5,000 fans.
They got up to a hot start with Tori Huster finding the back of the net within five minutes, but Kyra Cooney-Cross nabbed one back in the first half.
We regained our advantage when Katie Stengal knocked home a penalty before Hannah Brewer then popped up from defence to score her first and only A-League Women’s goal.
TREE-MENDOUS DERBY DAY
In a special Christmas edition of the F3 Derby in 2018, we travelled to the Central Coast and left with a winning present.
Matt Simon scored in the first half to give them a one goal lead at the break, but our side were able to turn things around.
First Jason Hoffman equalised the game with a delicate header, and in the last ten minutes, Ronnie Vargas produced a volleying goal to win the derby and three points just before Christmas.
