Jets back on track
The Newcastle Jets have got their Hyundai A-League season back on track with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in a tense derby encounter at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.
Newly signed import Micheal Bridges registered his first goal for the Jets with a well-taken strike in the eighth minute of play before Labinot Haliti made it 2-0 when he poked home from close range in the 14th minute.
Central Coast striker Adam Kwasnik made it 2-1 in the 19th minute with a great volley inside the area. The match then evolved into a typical derby encounter with plenty of feeling and yellow cards dished out to Dean Heffernan and Ben Kantarovski for strong tackles.
And despite the Mariners having the better chances in the second half the Newcastle defence, which was well marshaled by experienced central defender Angelo Costanzo, held on for the Jets to claim their third win of the season.
In the National Youth League, Central Coast Mariners continued their brilliant run, defeating Newcastle Jets 6-0. Nik Mrdja scored a hat-trick for the victors.