Hyundai A-League Weekend Wrap
The goals rained down this weekend, as the Jets closed the gap on the Mariners at the top of the table.
Results
ADELAIDE UNITED 4 beat Melbourne Victory 1 Perth Glory 3 drew Sydney FC 3 NEWCASTLE JETS 2 beat Wellington Phoenix 1 Central Coast Mariners 0 lost QUEENSLAND ROAR 1
Game Wraps
Adelaide United confirmed that it has one of the deepest squads in the competition, smashing Melbourne Victory 4-1, despite missing a host of key players. While Melbourne will claim they were also missing key players, Adelaide-s fringe players this season, stepped up to the mark and staked claims for starting berths on a regular basis. The start to the match indicated there would be goals in this match and that-s exactly what the fans got and most importantly from their own side. However its Ljubo Milicevic that got the ball rolling, unfortunately though at the wrong end, as his attempted clearance of a corner to the near post, glanced off his head in and in off the far post. Two minutes later Travis Dodd made it 2-0 to the hosts with a neat finish and they should have had more before the break. However it was Melbourne that went into the half time break with momentum, with Archie Thompson crashing a curling shot home in first half stoppage time. Dodd restored the two-goal cushion with a neatly finished header, before Lucas Pantelis scored the pick of the goals, in stoppage time with a superb goal.
Friday-s second match was a thriller with Perth denied a first up win by a late strike from Sydney-s Alex Brosque. Perth had started brightly, but had no goals to show for it and went behind five minutes before the break when Brosque bustled his way towards the penalty box and shot past Tommi Tomich. However it was Perth that started the stronger in the second half and former captain Jamie Harnwell had them back on level terms with a smart snap shot. On a role, they took the lead six minutes later through striker Jason Robinson and when Mitchell Prentice deflected free kick made it 3-1 it look like the home side would be celebrating its first three points. However Patrick pulled a goal back with less than ten minutes to play and Brosque made it an exciting finish with snap shot from close range with virtually the last kick of the game.
Newcastle climbed to within a point of Central Coast at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix. The Jets led 2-0 at the break with Wellington somewhat bizarrely getting their goal with the last kick of the match, amid confusion of exactly when the final whistle had been blown. The Jets took the lead when young short-term signing James Holland (from AIS) lashed his shot home from 15 yards out and doubled it five minutes before the break when Joel Griffiths capitalised on a great ball from Tarek Elrich. Newcastle should have extended that lead in the second half, but failed to take their opportunities, with Steven Old grabbing the Phoenix consolation goal following a scramble in the box. The match also saw the return to Australia of Qantas Socceroo midfielder Ahmed Elrich, playing the second half as he builds up his fitness after a long lay-off with injury.
The final match of the weekend, saw Queensland keep the sequence of matches, where the home team in this fixture against Central Coast has never won, going, with Josh McCloughan-s goal separating the teams. McCloughan-s goal came after just five minutes, pouncing on a mistake by Mariners reserve keeper Matthew Trott to stab home from close range. A series of injuries to the Mariners didn-t help their cause but the send-off of midfielder Brad Porter in the 31st minute was the biggest killer. However it was the Mariners who created the better chances in the second half, as they took the game to Queensland, who seemed content to hang on for the 1-0 win, which they ultimately achieved. However they have to thank goalkeeper Liam Reddy, who made a wonderful save to deny Matt Simon from point blank range.
Highlights & Lowlights The emergence of more youngsters onto the scene and the free flowing football, particularly on Friday night which saw 11 goals scored.
>Weekend Goals Tally: 15
Card Count: 21 yellows - 1 red
Attendance/Average: 40,308 / 10,077
Goal of the Week Lucas Pantelis has endured his share of pain in the first two seasons of the Hyundai A-League with injuries interrupting his progress. He has so far been forced to come off the bench this season, but with the absence of several Olyroos, got his first start. He capped off an outstanding match, with a superb and deserved goal at the end of the game, running at his defender, taking the ball into the box and unleashing a cracking shot that sailed over Michael Theoklitos and into the top corner.
Player of the Week Captain-s usually lead by example and on Friday night, Travis Dodd did exactly that. With players missing, Dodd stepped up and while not only scoring two very good goals, was inspirational with running and tracking back in defence, often nullifying dangerous situations.
One to Watch Perth haven-t had much to cheer about so far this season and Friday nights result wouldn-t have helped. However coach Ron Smith may have unearthed a potential star of the future, with young James Downey having a wail of a game against Sydney. Given a start because of a host of players were missing because of international commitments, Downey-s speed and willingness to take players on down the right flank was a great example to his more experienced team mates. If he keeps playing like this, he might just find he keeps his place in the starting side.