A stand-out performance from Jets goalkeeper, Jack Duncan ensured the Jets claimed a second home win against Melbourne Victory this season, and moved 11-points clear of their fourth-placed rivals.
A first half header from captain, Nigel Boogaard and Riley McGree’s first goal in Newcastle colours was enough to ensure the three points stayed in Newcastle.
Victory came out with their trademark energy and put the Jets under some early pressure, but it was returning striker Roy O’Donovan who had the best chance in the opening exhanges.
Petratos whipped in a well-weighted cross over the visitor’s backline and the Irish striker just couldn’t get his diving header on target.
Minutes later, at the other end, Kosta Barbarouses forced Jack Duncan into action, but the Jets keeper was up to the task.
Just after the half hour mark, Newcastle found the opener via Nigel Boogaard as Dimi Petratos put his free-kick on a dime for the tall defender.
The Jets led 1 – 0 at the break, however when the sides returned Victory looked more likely, even after they were rocked by the injury to keeper Lawrence Thomas, who was stretchered from the ground after a head clash with Andrew Nabbout.
Barbarouses continued to cause headaches, as did Besart Berisha, but they just couldn’t find a way past the green wall in goals, Jack Duncan.
After soaking up the pressure, the Jets struck 20 minutes from time, as Nabbout charged down the right and squared to McGree who calmly knocked the ball home.
Victory huffed and puffed, but the Jets defence stood tall, denying Berisha and Leigh Broxham late in the contest.
The 2 – 0 win consolidates second place on the ladder and extends the Jets unbeaten run at home against the Victory to three matches.
The moments:
17’ | 0 – 0 | CHANCE! Welcome back Roy O’Donovan! So close with the headed chance after Petratos fired a brilliant cross into the area #NEWvMVC
19’ | 0 – 0 | SAVE! Jack Duncan handles a strong strike from Barbarrouses as Victory moved quickly on the turnover #NEWvMVC
31’ | 1 – 0 | GOAL! Boogaard! #NEWvMVC
31’ | 1 – 0 | Boogaard gets on the end of an attacking free kick from Petratos at the back post and heads home to give us the lead! #NEWvMVC
A headed effort from our skipper, Nigel Boogaard nets us our 400th Hyundai A-League goal! #NEWvMVC pic.twitter.com/yHj1kyOfOd
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) February 3, 2018
37’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! O’Donovan finds himself in behind the Victory defence on the break, but draws his strike across the face of goal #NEWvMVC
45’+1’ | 1 – 0 | Jack Duncan with a reflex save at close range to keep us in front, what an effort! #NEWvMVC
51’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! So close on the break! Rodriguez and Petratos combine well to move up field quickly, Nabbout goes close before colliding heavily with Thomas in the area – he earns a booking for his efforts #NEWvMVC
63’ | 1 – 0 | Jack Duncan AGAIN! He tips a strong strike over the crossbar #NEWvMVC
70’ | 2 – 0 | GOAL! McGree! #NEWvMVC
70’ | 2 – 0 | Hoffman plays in Nabbout as he squares it up for a charging McGree in the area, who makes no mistake with the tap in! #NEWvMVC
90’+4’ | 2 – 0 | Close call there as a Broxham header takes the crossbar #NEWvMVC
Newcastle Jets: 1.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 11.Patricio RODRIGUEZ, 15.Andrew NABBOUT, 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY.
Subs: 10.Wayne BROWN, 13.Ivan Vujica, 16.Nick COWBURN, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 27.Riley McGree
Subs Not Used: 16.Nick COWBURN, 20.Glen MOSS (gk)
Yellow Cards: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (47’), 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (47’), 15.Andrew NABBOUT (51’)
Red Cards:
Goals: 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (31’), 27.Riley McGree (70’)
Melbourne Victory: 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Bersart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 17.James DONACHIE, 18.Matais SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS
Subs: 1.Matthew ACTON (gk), 23.Jai INGHAN, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Subs Not Used: 15.Cameron McGilp, 16.Joshua HOPE
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Goals:
