Jets v Victory

A-League report by Robert Szomolnoki
Newcastle United Jets v Melbourne Victory


The Jets got the revenge they were looking for after the 5-0 thumping they received by Victory in their last meeting when 19 year old Marko Jesic fired home a late 85th minute winner at the EAS.

The Jets saw the return of Joel (who commenced on the bench) and Adam Griffiths, Ben Kantarovski and James Holland.

It was the Jets who commenced the quicker Hakansson finds Zura who turns his defender beautifully his cross is met by Hakansson his shot is parried away by Theoklitos. On 6 minutes Matt Thomson beats his defender at the edge of the area and his goal bound shot is blocked by Muscat.

Victory mount their first attack on 9 minutes with some neat passing around the edge of the Jets penalty area the move ends with a 25 meter low drive by Celeski that requires a full length diving save by Covic. Moments later Allsop is suddenly through on goal with only Covic to beat but he has too much power in his lob and the ball sails over the cross bar and into the stands.

The Jets then lift a gear, Kantarovski sets up Holland his shot is blocked, the ball falls to Jesic who air swings a shot then has a shot that is going in but Theoklitos gets a touch and the ball is pushed around the upright. Zura is having his best game of the season so far his cross finds Holland who tees up Jesic and he hits a low drive wide. Then it's a Elrich cross that finds Jesic on the far post he doesn't quite it hold of it and its over the cross bar.

The crowd are enthralled by the Jets pressure as they await the expected first goal, its all high tmpo and pleasing on the eyes.

On 31 minutes Kantarovski and Zura exchange passes down the left flank, a Zura back heel sends the 16 year old away, his cross finds Hakansson his goal bound shot is handled by Vargas and the referee Breeze gives a penalty. Zura who is yet to score for the Jets steps up to take the kick, the crowd hold their breath as he connects, but the ball hits the upright and bounces out much to the crowd's disbelief, Zura is playing his heart out and it is he that is most deserving of a goal so far.

The Jets continue to press, Hakansson's cross is handled by Kemp but Breeze doesn't give the penalty and instead gives the disbelieving Dane a yellow card much to the crowds amazement.

The first half ends with Zura beautifully beating two defenders and his zipping cross is met by Kantarovski did his header is wide.

The second half has Victory on top, Hernandez tries one from 22 meters and Covic touches it over the cross bar.

But it all goes horribly wrong for Melbourne and in particularly Archie Thompson on 57 minutes, the Socceroo was given his first A-League red card when he swore at Breeze. Television replays showed Thomson called Breeze a 'F------ ----' after he was called for a foul on Wheelhouse. That's 4 send offs in eight games for Melbourne.

It takes Van Egmond a further ten minutes to take advantage of the situation when finally on 67 minutes Song and D'Apuzzo come on and on 76 minutes Joel Griffiths finally comes on and for the final 15 minutes its all the Jets as they dominate 10 man Victory. On 81 minutes Song plays a neat one two at the edge of the penalty area ad is in n goal but his shot is saved by Theoklitos.

The goal finally arrives on 85 minutes Song crosses, its deflected to Jesic and the 19 year old volleys home from close range its 1-0 to the Jets and the home fans are in raptures.