Jets v Glory

A-League report by Robert Szomolnoki
Newcastle United Jets v Perth Glory


The Jets have finished their home season with a rare win after defeating a very flat Perth Glory 2-1 at Energy Australia Stadium.

The Jets had both Griffiths brothers out and started Kaz Patafta for the very first time, and well as another youth leaguer Brodie Mooy.

The Glory had Nikita Rukavystya out - trialling with FC Twente; and Eugene Dadi was also missing - he is on loan at FC Vaduz.

The Jets had only two home wins coming into this game this season while the Glory had only one away win this season.

The Jets started with more purpose, a Song free kick ends with a Matt Thompson overhead just over the cross bar on 12 minutes, then Ben Kantarovski finds Brendon Mooy who cleverly dummies and the ball finds Wheelhouse who blasts one at goal - Velaphi makes a full length diving save.

On the half hour Jobe Wheelhouse has a one-two with Mooy on the edge of the penalty area he receives the return pass and has only Velaphi to beat but his shoot is going into the corner but Velaphi is able to get a touch to push the ball around the upright, referee Kris Griffin-Jones incorrectly awards a goal kick.

On 35 minutes Perth Glory launch their first attack a Jamie Harnwell header is goal bound but Kaz Patafta blocks the ball out for a corner.

A Patafta corner finds an on running Ante Kovacic in the 41st minute he heads home with a bullet header its 1-0 Jets.

The first half ends with a Thompson cross which finds Wheelhouse but he hits it first time and its over the cross bar.

The Jets begin the second in style, Matt Thompson is through on goal but is brought down by David Tarka referee Kris Griffin-Jones points to the spot and Milligan converts only his second ever A-League goal, hitting it down the middle of the goal as the keeper dives the other way, its Jets 2-0.

Wheelhouse tries one from 30 metres but its just over the cross bar and then on a Jets break away D'Apuzzo is just wide, but just as it appears the Jets will run away with this game Perth Glory pull a goal back. Victor Sikora is away on goal and he brilliantly passes to a unmarked bulloch who taps in from in front of goal. Its 2-1 Jets.

The Glory for the next ten minutes then apply pressure and it looks to be the same old story for Newcastle - letting a lead slip away. On 82 minutes Bulloch is away on goal but his touch is too strong and Covic is able to dive on the ball.

With five minutes remaining Patafta breaks away, he finds Mooy, who blasts one straight at Velaphi.

The game ends with Patafta and Wheelhouse combing for a goal bound Patafta shot that is deflected over the cross bar. It ends 2-1 Jets.