Newcastle Jets’ opportunity to cement themselves into the top three of the Hyundai A-League suffered a major setback after an embarrassing defeat to bottom of the table minnows, Wellington Phoenix.
Jeremy Brockie came back to the haunt the Hunter faithful, not only netting two goals but totaling Mark Birighitti with an errant knee to the cheek. Brockie’s double was the last thing the Jets kneeded, eventually going down 3-0 in a forgettable afternoon.
Viewers only had to tune to be put to sleep and enjoy a peaceful Sunday arvo kip. Despite Mark Paston also nodding off on occasions, the lifeless Jets were unable to create any clear cut opportunities as a bemoaning crowd of 13 116 echoed, “Wow that was close, something almost happened!”
Despite very little opportunities in the uninspired first half, Brockie made the most of one by latching on to an impressive cross by Paul Ifill in the 44th minute and after a composed header in the 81st minute, Brockie had won the game off his own back with a double.
The Phoenix secured their first win since round 1, with Ifill calmly slotting in a penalty in the 87th minute. The Jets obviously underestimated the Phoenix, comprising mostly of experienced New Zealand reps with the odd journeyman thrown in for good measure.
At least the Jets won the battle of the hair, with Michael Bridges’ sensational red and blue mo’ outshining the afro of Craig David look-alike, Ifill. That’s something, right?
Jets starting XI: 2. Scott Neville, 3. Tiago Calvano, 4. Josh Mitchell, 7. James Brown, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. Emile Heskey, 12. Josh Brillante, 16. Jobe Wheelhouse (c), 17. James Virgili, 20. Mark Birighitti (gk), 23. Ryan Griffiths. Bench: 11. Connor Chapman, 19. Michael Bridges, 22. Adam Taggart, 33. Matt Nash (gk).
Wellington starting XI: 1. Mark Paston (gk), 2. Emmanuel Muscat, 3. Tony Lochhead, 6. Alexander Smith, 7. Leo Bertos, 8. Paul Ifill, 11. Jeremy Brockie, 16. Louis Fenton, 17. Vince Lia, 18. Ben Sigmund, 22. Andrew Durante (c). Bench: 9. Benjamin Totori, 12. Tyler Boyd, 20. Glen Moss (gk), 28. Ricardo Clarke
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Newcastle Jets’ opportunity to cement themselves into the top three of the Hyundai A-League suffered a major setback after an embarrassing defeat to bottom of the table minnows, Wellington Phoenix.