Three points were up for grabs on Sunday night at AAMI Park, but it was Melbourne City who emerged 3-0 victors.
A hat-trick of well taken Melbourne City goals, kick started an early Riley McGree goal, earned the home side the lead in just the second minute of play.
It was a lead that City didn’t surrender.
McGree’s goal was a well taken one, after the youngster was found at the back post from a corner and had enough time to rocket his shot into the back of the net.
The early strike helped City control much of the opening exchanges, and it wasn’t until the half hour mark that the visitors had their first real chance when Jason Hoffman nearly put one in the top corner after a goalmouth scramble.
The Jets then began to put together a good period with the birthday boy, Ronnie Vargas and Dimi Petratos combining well and each coming close to opening Newcastle’s account.
Just prior to the 45 minute mark, Ronnie Vargas nearly scored a wonderful goal when he beat a number of players and let off a nice looking shot which City goalkeeper, Eugene Galekovic was able to see wide.
With three minutes of injury time signalled, the extras proved deadly for Newcastle. After receiving a ball on the edge of the area, Luke Brattan brought it down and left off an extraordinary strike which gave Glen Moss no chance of stopping.
Newcastle were first out of the sheds after the half-time break, and Dimi Petratos nearly halved the deficit with a nicely worked free-kick straight from the training ground. His shot, from a long way out, hit the top of the net.
Nick Cowburn and Jason Hoffman combined in the 70th minute to give the latter a sight on goal, but a good save denied Newcastle the chance to get on the board.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock, City scored once more to put the game out of sight. Lachlan Wales was set free behind the Jets defence, and a dinked finish over Glen Moss put the home side ahead by three goals – an unconquerable deficit for Newcastle.
Melbourne City 3 (McGree 2′, Brattan 45+3′, Wales 75′) def. Newcastle Jets 0
Sunday 2 December,7pm at AAMI Park
