Newcastle Jets returned home to McDonald Jones stadium after almost a month away to host Macarthur FC. With both sides level on points, it was sure to be a fiery affair.
It was another dominant first-half performance from the home team, however they went into the sheds with the scores level despite having 10 shots to Macarthur’s three.
The second half was where the game would come alive, but it wasn’t until late on where the deadlock would be broken. Captain Matthew Jurman found space in the box from a corner and glanced a header into the side netting.
There were nerves to be had from Newcastle, who had succumbed to 90th-minute equalisers in two of their last three games. History threatened to repeat itself when Bachana Arabuli lost his marker and was able to head home at the far post in the 92nd minute.
Newcastle were rattled, but not completely out of the contest yet. A few minutes of injury-time remained, enough to salvage all three points and give their finals chance a big boost.
With just seconds left of the allotted injury time, Brandon O’Neill picked up the ball and drove into space. Macarthur defenders sat off him for a split second, which gave him all the license he needed to have a crack from distance.
The shot seemed to go past Filip Kurto in slow motion, finding its way into the top right corner without deviating from its destined path. It was a strike that was worthy of securing all three points, and also the first of O’Neill’s tenure in Newcastle.
Newcastle coach Arthur Papas was impressed with the important strike that gives his side hope with two games of the season remaining.
“I saw a lot of belief in him to execute that, especially after what happened in the 91st minute as well,” Papas said.
The Jets deserved the points on the day. A draw in the same fashion as they had against Melbourne City and Perth Glory would’ve meant an uphill battle to finish in the top six, and a likely end to the season’s ambitions.
“I’m proud of that group because they showed the right character, competitiveness, and resilience to come back and do what they did,” Papas said.
“The intent was there, the hunger was there, there was a response considering last week’s poor performance and result.”
What remains of the season is two tough but vital fixtures, with the penultimate match coming against bitter rivals Central Coast Mariners.
“We’ve got a really tough game next week, a derby match. I just hope that our community get behind us and there’s a big crowd here for what will be a big game,” the Jets coach said.
Feature image credit: Sproule Sports Focus
Enjoy this content? Support The Football Sack
Due in part to COVID and lack of current sponsorship we are at risk of not having the funds to continue running The Football Sack. If you enjoy our content and support our work in training talented young writers, please support us with a donation. If every reader contributed just $3, our funding would be covered for over ten years.
| DONATE |
