Gutsy Jets too good
A 10-man Newcastle outfit has outlasted Melbourne Victory to register a gallant 3-2 win in their Round 22 Hyundai A-League clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday evening.
Newcastle took the lead via skipper Matt Thompson in the 26th minute before defender Ben Kantarovski picked up his second yellow card in the 33rd minute to leave the Jets a man down for the remainder of the game. The youngster's second offence allowed Melbourne to convert from the penalty spot to level the contest.
Newcastle snatched back the lead on the stroke of half-time through English import Michael Bridges and extended its lead when Labinot Haliti slotted home in the 56th minute.
Despite being a man down it was the home side who controlled the play up until the last 10 minutes when Melbourne attacked with purpose but could only pick up a consolation goal in injury time to Carlos Hernandez.
The win keeps Newcastle in the top four on the Hyundai A-League ladder while the Victory hold onto second place, just ahead of the Gold Coast, despite two losses in a row.
Perth Glory and Sydney FC have fought out a 0-0 draw at ME Bank Stadium in a match where neither side could nail their chances.
Fresh from their 4-0 thumping of Newcastle on Boxing Day, the Glory started full of fire against an undermanned defence.
But Mile Sterjovski's shot against the upright in the seventh minute proved the closest Perth came to hitting the target, while top-of-the-table Sydney appeared content to simply soak up the pressure and try to catch its opponent on the counter.
The Sky Blues took until the 35th minute to earn their first corner, but as the Glory dropped their intensity during the second half, substitute Sydney striker Chris Payne almost created some good late chances.
With second-placed Melbourne losing to Newcastle earlier in the afternoon, the result sees Sydney climb four points ahead of the Victory on top of the Hyundai A-League table, as Perth drops to sixth position.
Adelaide United Youth took the points with a solid 2-0 win over Gold Coast United Youth at Owen Park.