Heart v Jets

A-League report by Shane Derham
Melbourne Heart v Newcastle United Jets


In varying conditions with the majority of the match played in showery weather, the Jets unbeaten streak has extended to six games, with Branko Culina's side reaching the Top six for the first time this season after defeating the Melbourne Heart 2-0. It required the only two shots on goal by the Jets for the whole game, for the Jets to capitalise on their chances.

The Melbourne Heart are now goalless since the Round 14 clash with the Brisbane Roar. They have now gone 529 minutes without scoring, which should be a major concern for coach John van't Schip. They also have only taken 1 point from the last 18, slipping out of the Top six.

The first goal of the game came in the 12th minute through a Newcastle corner. It was a good cross from Kasey Wehrman to which Clint Bolton came off his line and couldn't punch the ball clear. The ball fell to the feet of Francis Jeffers, who made good with a couple of choices and whose shot at the goal was deflected as it went through a tunnel of Heart players. One member of the tunnel was Clint Bolton, who came off his line to shutdown the cross.

A second brain explosion by Clint Bolton lead to the second goal by Melbourne Heart. Francis Jeffers put through a great ball and created space for Marko Jesic on the right hand side. Clint Bolton came off his line again to shutdown the ball, but was found in no mans land and Jesic's first touch curled around Bolton's body and found the back of the net.

In what could have been a turning point for the match, Jobe Wheelhouse was sent off in the 8th minute of the match. In the 6th minute, after Jobe Wheelhouse fouled Matt Thompson. Aziz Behich came in; Jobe Wheelhouse didn't appreciate the late tackle and lightly shoved Behich in the face. Behich went down very heavily with the referee within metres of the incident. After consultation with his assistant referee, referee Peter Green reached for his pocket and red carded Jobe Wheelhouse.

Apart from being a man down from most of the first half, the Jets dominated and broke down the Heart defence on numerous occasions.

The second half was a stalemate between the two sides, with the Heart having the better of the chances, but not taking them.

In the 67th minute, the Heart were robbed of a penalty after Jets skipper Ljubo Milicevic shouldered former teammate Jason Hoffman in the box, which was clearly a penalty.

Melbourne Heart had another penalty denied after Nikolai Top Stanley clearly hand balled in the box with the referee pointing to the corner as the ball went out.

Melbourne Heart late in the match had two great chances, but the hands of Matthew Nash have saved the day the Hunter Valley side. The third genuine chance in the second half came when a Rutger Worm thunderbolt in the 82nd minute hit the cross bar.

The Heart have an uphill battle on their hands, with the second Melbourne derby on Saturday night with a Victory side which has no issue with scoring goals.

Newcastle keeps rolling on and have the weekend off to take on Gold Coast United next Wednesday at home, in what should be a fantastic match.