Jets v Mariners

A-League report by Robert Szomolnoki
Newcastle United Jets v Central Coast Mariners


The opening game of the A-League Season V4 the F3 derby has ended 1-1 as a last minute Joel Griffiths penalty gave the home side a share of the points after Matt Simon appeared to have won the game for the Mariners having headed them into the lead with just three minutes to go.

The Jets lined up with new marquee signing Edmundo Zura obtaining his clearance only a few hours before the match and 16-year-old Ben Kantarovski lining up in defence.

Mariners new signing included defender Predrag Bojic, David D'Apuzzo, and attackers Ahmad Elrich and Adrian Caceres

The first half has the defences of both teams on top with the final pass in the attacking third continually being cut out, the highlights are quite limited.

It's the 18th min and Song puts Zura away for the first piece of real action but he is called up for off side.

Newcastle Jets passing is looking good and its Song again looking dangerous as he is surrounded by Mariners but is still able to test Vukovic with a low shot.

The first half ends with a long range Caceres shot that tests Covic but doesn't trouble the score board.

The second half commences with a higher intensity, Song's cross is headed by Bojic who gets in front of Adam Griffiths but the ball goes to Zura on the far post and his header is just wide.

On 54 minutes it's the Mariners who should take the lead, a Jets build up around the penalty area breaks down, Ahmad Elrich finds Caceres who sprints to the edge of the Jets penalty area, his cross however is not accurate and Covic intercepts in front of Petrovski.

Two minutes later Petrovski beats Adam Griffiths in the penalty area by lifting the ball over his head and regathering he crosses for Hutchinson and in what may already be the 'miss of the season' Hutchinson gets a foot to the ball from point blank range but the ball hits Covic and the Mariners again fail to go in front.

Zura responds for the Jets he finds Griffiths who in turn finds Elrich who fails to tap in from close range.

On 72 minutes Song pulls in a cross that finds Thompson, his shot is deflected off Clark and hits the upright before bouncing away.

It seems to become a goal less game but the match however has a dramatic ending, with three minutes to go Ahmad Elrich's cross is headed away by his brother only to find Bojic who heads on to Simon who heads in from point blank range its 1-0 Mariners.

There is a further twist, Tarek Elrich in the final minute was fouled by Porter in the penalty area, Referee Breeze pointed to the spot and the home fans go into raptures, Joel Griffiths stepped up and as per last season - he scored - it ends 1-1.