Jets v Roar

A-League report by Robert Szomolnoki
Newcastle United Jets v Queensland Roar


The Jets came flying home with a late finish which saw a Joel Griffith free kick find the corner of the net in the 85th minute and attacking midfielder Denni almost win it in the final minute for the home team when his goal bound shot was saved by Reddy.

It was the Roar who commenced the quicker with a Marcinho free kick from 25 meters out just flashing over the cross bar as early as the second minute, two minutes later saw Reinaldo away on goal but his shot/cross was safely held by Covic.

The home teams first attack came in the 7th min with the impressive Denni able to fend off two defenders and finds Joel Griffiths but he is robbed of the ball as he is about to shoot. Eight minutes later the two combine again as Denni makes space in the middle finds Joel Griffiths in front of goal but he takes it too far down the wing and his shot from a narrow angle is saved by Reddy.

The Qld Roar midfielders were winning the loins share of possession in the middle of the park with Mckay and Murdocca impressive. A Marcinho free kick sailed over the cross bar and a 20 meter Reinaldo run ends with his shot well over the cross bar.

The Jets respond with a Bridge run who finds Hearfield in front of goal but he slips over the ball. As half time approached a Bridge/Thompson one-two sees Bridge clear down the wing to cross for Joel Griffiths, his header is narrowly over the cross bar. The first half ends with a McLaren foul on Denni just outside the penalty area it sees him get a yellow card, the free kick is driven by Thompson at the goal keeper.

The second half commences with a Wheelhouse 20 meter effort just over the cross bar, then Lynch responds with a low hard goal bound shot that Covic dives and saves well.

On the hour it is end to end stuff Marcinho low shot is saved well, the Jets counter with a Joel Griffiths break he finds Denni who is able to control the ball beautifully and lay it on to Thompson but his cross is blocked.

Lynch chips the out coming Covic but the ball falls well short, the Jets push up and Joel Griffiths mazey run into the penalty area ends with Reddy coming of his line to save.

The 70th minute has the Jets losing possession on half way, with McKay intercepting, the Qld Roar have a 3 on 2 and Lynch gives a perfect pass to Reinaldo who hammers it past Covic, 1-0 Qld Roar.

Marchinho should have won for the Roar with six minutes remaining but he fired over the cross bar with only Covic to beat from 10 meters. The next minute sees Joel Griffiths about to shot from the edge of the penalty area but he is fouled by McLaren who receives a second yellow card which becomes red. Joel Griffiths finds the top corner of the net and the home crowd go into raptures, its 1-1.

Griffiths in the final minute finds Denni who goal bound shot is saved by Reddy, in the end a draw being a fair result.