Newcastle completed a season treble over the Wellington Phoenix, winning for a second time in 2015-16 against the New Zealanders at Hunter Stadium.
A 3-2 triumph over their unshackled opposition left the Jets with a real chance of making the playoffs, and the Nix could have no off-field excuses this time.
Finally given a 10-year contract to end the license saga, coach Ernie Merric fielded an unchanged line-up from the team that were so impressive in last weekend’s 5-2 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. With the news that Alex Jones was heading home due to a transfer bungle by New Zealand Football, Hamish Watson retained his place up top and his search for a full contract continued.
Newcastle held the majority of possession in the opening 10 minutes. The home side shaded the opening exchanges, having the greater of the chances and lesser foul-count in the sticky Hunter heat. Leonardo was providing the home fans with plenty of Brazilian passion and skill, the winger serving up some scintillating runs and what seemed a non-stop running commentary on the play. His entertainment value would be seen throughout this match.
A 26th minute own goal by Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante squared the ledger, as Leonardo danced through the defence once again to deliver a wicked ball to Enver Alivodic, who’s cross proved impossible to deal with. That gave the home side the impetus to attack some more, and the visitors were guilty of giving the ball away under mounting pressure. It was not Newcastle who scored next, however, the Phoenix used the counter-attacking football that was so effective last season to surprise the hosts and head into the break in front.
Two goals after the break for Morten Nordstrand and a red card for Watson would see that game turned on its head. In the 80th minute both teams rang the changes, Mitch Cooper and Ben Sigmund (making his first appearance since Round 9) came on as substitutes, Fenton replaced Ridenton and Appiah also came on for Powell. Fenton came close to making the impact his coach demanded, as his shot in the 83rd minute was denied when Birighitti made a reflex save low-down to ensure his team stayed on top.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Three key talking points – Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners
Post-match combined XI – Melbourne Victory 0 Adelaide United 1
Van’t Schip: Contentious moments should not be replayed on big screen
Nordstrand and Watson shine
On 20 minutes, Tom Doyle split the Newcastle defence and it was only a Lachlan Jackson last-second intervention that prevented a goal. It was to be all in vain, as the resulting Phoenix corner saw Watson score his maiden goal at the far post. Watson picked up Mullen’s poor clearance after Doyle’s whipped delivery caused the Newcastle defence a dilemma, and made no mistake with his finish, taking a touch before coolly slotting home.
Watson bagged a second, as Bonevacia threaded a ball through to Powell, and the hero of last week unselfishly put it on a plate for striker Watson to get a brace in 37 minutes. His exploits were not quite up to assist maker Blake Powell’s first-half hat-trick efforts in the previous match, but he was certainly doing his utmost to earn a full contract.
Yet the second-half would belong to Newcastle’s hitman, as Nordstrand was found in space by the superb, and at times bewildering Leonardo. His curled first-time finish left Glen Moss with absolutely no chance, and the match was level again after 52 minutes.
With 20 minutes to go, the Phoenix’s two-goal hero was sent-off for what seemed like an innocuous offence, getting in the way of a free-kick that the Jets looked to take quickly. And things quickly got worse for the Phoenix, as Nordstrand helped himself to a brace on his own, Muscat switching off and allowing the Danish man space to shoot, as the home side took the lead for the first time in the game at 3-2.
Both sides lacking defensively
It was clear that this was a game between two of the sides at the lower end of the table, as there were plenty of goals scored and a distinct lack of defensive steel shown. It was Durante’s error that lead to the Jets’ first goal, and Mullen’s mistake that made Watson available to score the second for the visitors.
Miller outwits Merrick yet again, three times a charm
Just like he did in Round One and 15, Scott Miller managed to give do the treble over the vastly experienced Ernie Merrick. Despite making it tough on themselves this time, going down twice before taking the lead for the first time after the red card, the Jets managed to secure the points in an open contest, completely unlike the week 15 win, in which solid defence won the day.
Outside90 A-League Player of the Year Award
3 – Morten Nordstrand
2 – Leonardo
1 – Hamish Watson
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
