Perth Glory jumped into outright 5th, beating the Jets at Hunter Stadium.
Newcastle’s finals hopes had long since ended, but with pride (don’t laugh) to play for, they welcomed Perth Glory to Hunter Stadium. Bathed in dappled sunlight, in these last few, crisp days when summer is a warm memory as the country settles into autumn, there was a certain comfort to this match. Newcastle, hoping for better seasons to come, and Perth, equal on points with sixth placed Melbourne Victory, but comfortably ahead of Sydney FC in seventh, coasted through much of this match in a cushioned haze.
The Jets had a subsequent air of the cavalier to them, playing freely on the counter, as Perth dawdled slightly, a little too ponderous in their thinking and moving. Multiple promising Newcastle chances were called back for tight offside decisions, some far less conclusive than others. Perth had their opportunities, but they had to struggle out of their malaise to create them, and when they did, Mark Birighitti was more than capable of repelling the danger.
It took until the hour mark for the tempo of the game to increase, even though basic execution was still in short supply. Passes were flicked more pertinently, but just as inaccurately, and the crowd began to make clear their dissatisfaction with the contest labouring out in front of them. Perth scuffed themselves into the lead, in the 71st minute, when an ugly scramble following a corner allowed Krisztián Vadócz to slot home from close range. For Newcastle, time was running out and when a totally erroneous penalty was awarded to Perth, Keogh doubled the lead. Newcastle were also awarded a late penalty, an opportunity for a consolation goal that they took, but 2-1 it ended.
Here are the best tweets.
No Alivodic No Trifunovic I Think Newcastle Jets Coach Lost The Plot #NEWvPER
— SokkaaLife⚽️ (@Kupej) March 26, 2016
Who has the cowbell in the crowd? Lol #NEWvPER
— Peter (@nutwals) March 26, 2016
Andy Harper has stopped commentating & has started asking the bigger questions. "Why do we as a race back the conservative option" #NEWvPER
— Ben Smith (@BenSmith94) March 26, 2016
Birraz standing between Perth and a two or three goal lead. It's not to say that the Jets haven't had their chances. #NEWvPER
— Betwise247 (@betwise247) March 26, 2016
@MarkBirraz with some astonishingly quick reflexes here, not to mention strong wrists. #NEWvPER pic.twitter.com/em9RDoXzIb
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@WWofSport) 26 March 2016
Not the most entertaining game, but don't forget Perth are aiming for what, eight in a row? Jets holding them well so far. #NEWvPER
— Paul J (@paul_jobber23) March 26, 2016
The alternative to cheering for goals scored by the Jets…when the opposition gets a card! #NEWvPER #TogetherWeCanSoar #ALeague
— Josie B (@TempGauge) March 26, 2016
How good has Vadocz been for Glory? A mountain in the middle of the park and now a goal. Transfer window signing of the season #NEWvPER
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) March 26, 2016
72' GOAL: Vadocz scores after a scrappy exchange in the box. 1-0 to Glory. #NEWvPER LIVE: https://t.co/8tfRw97iXp pic.twitter.com/8gO4g99vyr
— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFootballLive) March 26, 2016
Today's game is not one for the highlight reel, even with glimpses of @MullerAUS in the background #NEWvPER #aleague
— Julian Wright (@julianoconqueso) March 26, 2016
Nordstrand. It's Danish for "air swing…" #NEWvPER https://t.co/FJoiGtmbbl
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) March 26, 2016
That referring was absolutely comical. @PerthGloryFC deserved their win. Still in the hunt for 4th spot #NEWvPER
— Mark (@_hughsey_) March 26, 2016
A shockingly poor decision. #NEWvPER pic.twitter.com/W5U0qoSXs6
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@WWofSport) 26 March 2016
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