The Newcastle Jets have topped off their solid pre-season form with a 2 – 1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix as the visitors wrap up their brief New South Wales tour.
The Phoenix showed their intent early, going long into the Jets’ defensive third from the kick-off, with possession turned over regularly as both sides found their feet in the opening minutes.
Wellington would have the best of the early exchanges as they looked to make inroads though Ray Krishna – who would enjoy a running battle with Ivan Vujica for the rest of the match.
The Jets found some possession and territory midway through the opening stanza, and after a few close chances, it would be Irishman Roy O‘Donovan (28’) who would open the home side’s account for the afternoon.
The goal, along with some enterprising play in midfield from the likes of Kantarovski and Petratos saw the Jets settle into their rhythm and the momentum swung the way of the home side.
The Jets almost doubled their lead before half time, as the front three – particularly O’Donovan – pressured the Phoenix in defence, forcing some cheap turnovers in good position.
The second stanza mirrored the opening exchanges as both teams looked to attack early, with Italiano and Jets’ custodian Jack Duncan pulling off some superb saves under pressure.
It would be the Phoenix’s newest recruit, Andrija Kaluderovic who would draw the visitors level after a period of sustained pressure in the Jets’ defensive third.
Jets’ boss Ernie Merrick brought on some fresh legs soon after and yet again, Joe Champness made an immediate impact. He went close within minutes of entering the play; before a cheeky lob in the 18-yard box from O’Donovan produced a terrific volley from the young gun (80’) – putting the Jets back in front.
The win, completes a strong run of form for the Jets over the pre-season who will welcome new recruit, Venezuelan international, Ronald Vargas at training on Monday.
The moments:
10’ | 0 – 0 | CHANCE! Some enterprising play sees the Phoenix get an opportunity, Duncan stands tall. Great save! #NEWvWEL
21’ | 0 – 0 | CHANCE! Nabbout gets into some space but sends it over the crossbar #NEWvWEL
27’ | 0 – 0 | ATTACK: Neat cross from Kantarovski gives O’Donovan a chance, before Italiano cuts it off #NEWvWEL
28’ | 1 – 0 | GOOOAAL! Brown releases O’Donovan in the box and the Irishman takes his chance #NEWvWEL
41’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCES! The boys are pressing as we approach the end of the first half, O’Donovan and Nabbout go close #NEWvWEL
46’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! O’Donovan gets released by Brown and into space but has his efforts thwarted by defence #NEWvWEL
49’ | 1 – 0 | End-to-end here early, a Phoenix chance is superbly stopped by Jack Duncan #NEWvWEL
51’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! It’s all happening here at Edgeworth, Italiano pulls off a cracking save after Brown looks to double the Jets lead #NEWvWEL
61’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! Krishna puts a neat ball in that’s intercepted by Boogaard and saved by Duncan #NEWvWEL
66’ | 1 – 1 | GOAL! The Phoenix draw level through Kaludjerovic #NEWvWEL
75’ | 1 – 1 | CHANCE: Champness JUST misses to the right after O’Donovan creates a chance from the right edge #NEWvWEL
80’ | 2 – 1 | WHAT. A. GOAL: O’Donovan sets up Champness with a cheeky lob into the box as they young gun finishes with a terrific volley #NEWvWEL
FULL TIME | 2 – 1 | That’s it from Edgeworth as the Jets finish up 2 – 1 winners #NEWvWEL
A post shared by newcastlejetsfc (@newcastlejetsfc) on Sep 16, 2017 at 12:08am PDT
Ground: Jack Maclaughlan Oval, Edgeworth
Attendance: 1,254
Wellington Phoenix: 2. Daniel MULLEN, 3. Scott GALLOWAY, 7. Gui FINKLER, 9. Andrija KALUDEROVIC, 10. Michael MCGLINCHY, 12. Adam PARKHOUSE, 13. Marco ROSSI, 14. Alex RUFER, 17. Ali ABBAS, 20. Lewis ITALIANO, 21. Ray KRISHNA
Subs: Tinahse MAROWA, Ryan LOWRY, Dylan FOX, Dario VIDIOIC, Hamish WATSON, James MCGARRY, Sapreet SINGH, Thomas DOYLE, Oliver SAIL, Andrew DURANTE, Matthew RIDENTON, Logan ROGERSON
Yellow Cards: Durante (67’)
Red Cards: N/A
Goals: Andrija Kaluderovic (66’)
Newcastle Jets: 1. Jack DUNCAN, 3. Jason HOFFMAN 4. Nigel BOOGAARD, 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7. Dimi PETRATOS, 9. Roy O’DONOVAN, 10. Wayne BROWN, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Nick COWBURN, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
Subs: Mario SHABOW, Lachlan Jackson, Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, Joe CHAMPNESS, Devante CLUT, Daniel ALESSI, Glen MOSS (GK), Jake ADELSON
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Goals: O’ Donovan (28’), Champness (80’)
