In a game of two halves the Jets dominated the first half before Victory came back to equalise later in the game. The Newcastle Jets played some nice football in the first half and had Nick Carle, Ned Zelic and Matthew Thompson dominating the midfield.
In the opening minute Danny Allsopp headed towards goal but was fouled and from the resulting free-kick from Chris Tadrosse found Daniel Piokowski whose header went just wide.
The following minute saw Nick Carle waltzing past two defenders before being cut down 30m from goal.
In the 17th minute a Ned Zelic through ball almost found Matthew Thompson but an alert Eugene Galekovic came off his line to cut out the pass.
The opening goal came in the 28th minute when a Matthew Thompson free kick was flicked on to Craig Deans who was able to chip Eugene Galekovic.
The 29th minute finally saw Ned Zelic go on a long run before he was fouled after he had slipped past two defenders.
Ten minutes later saw a great Matthew Thompson free kick from 30m saved by Eugene Galekovic.
In the 44th minute a Kristian Sarkies free kick found Mark Byrnes whose header was just wide.
While the Newcastle Jets were on top in the first half, the opening 25 minutes of the second half saw Melbourne Victory create chance after chance. Kristian Sarkies free kick just wide (51min). Chris Tadrosse cross for Danny Allsopp who just heads over (52min).
Richard Kitzbichler who had a quite first half, then came to life, he shot just wide in the 54min, then crossed for Kristian Sarkies who headed just wide (55min), then Richard crossed for Archie Thompson who was just wide with a shot (60min).
Danny Allsop forced a great save from Liam Reddy in the 68min and it was Richard Kitzbichler again who shot from outside the area in the 72 min as Melbourne Victory completely dominated proceedings.
Finally the Newcastle Jets came to life as Nick Carle offered a shot in the 73 min.
In the 85th min the equalizer finally came as a Ricky Diaco through ball found Archie Thompson who smashed the ball past Liam Reddy.
In the dying minutes the Newcastle Jets woke up and had a Nick Carle one two with Tarek Elrich finish with a Nick Carle shot just wide. Then the busy Matt Thompson went just wide with a shot from a Nick Carle cross.
What the coaches had to say:
Richard Money:
’ÄòWe played well first half, but looked tired in the
second period, we played too deep and couldn’Äôt keep the ball’Äô. ’ÄúAnte
Milicic was touch and go to play tonight , he will be OK for next
week’Äô. ’ÄúWe want to win the pre-season cup and get five games out of it’Äô
’ÄòI am happy that Zelic and Johnson got through 90 mins’Äô
Ernie Merrick:
’ÄòWe were rusty in the first half, but we defended
very well’Äô. ’ÄòWe clicked in the second half, it was very pleasing’Äô ’ÄòThey
played the off-side trap and 2-3 times we nearly caught them out’Äô What
did you say at half time: ’ÄòIt was very logical , I don’Äôt get carried
away’Äô