The Newcastle Jets made it a clean sweep of Brisbane Roar this season defeating the competition front-runners 1-0 on Sunday.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets made it a clean sweep of Brisbane Roar this season defeating the competition front-runners 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Jets had the first opportunity of the match in the 3rd minute, with Craig Goodwin whipping in a cross from the right flank towards the back post where an unmarked Emile Heskey was waiting.
However, the former England international was unable to keep his first-time volley down, with the ball sailing high over the crossbar for a goal kick.
It didn-t take long for the home side to warm into the contest, with Ivan Franjic delivering a clever square ball to Besart Berisha at the top of the box in the 13th minute.
The Albanian struck the ball sweetly with his right boot but was denied the opening goal of the contest by a sharp reflex save by Mark Birighitti.
A short time later, Thomas Boich swung in a dangerous ball from the left flank that was inches away from connecting with the head of Berisha as it flashed ominously across the face of goal.
While Brisbane dominated the weight of possession, the Jets always looked threatening on the counter attack and enjoyed a promising period midway through the half.
In the 25th minute, Heskey held the ball up superbly near the halfway line before playing a ball through to Adam Taggart.
The Olyroos striker dribbled the ball into the box, before firing a goal-bound shot from an acute angle that was deflected for a corner.
Less than a minute later, Ruben Zadkovich played a cross to the back post that was headed back across goal by Josh Mitchell.
Taggart was the quickest to react, but could only drag his shot just wide of the target while under pressure inside the six-yard box.
Almost immediately after, Josh Brillante delivered another dangerous ball from the right looking for Heskey that almost forced Franjic to direct his clearance into his own net.
A short time later, Heskey once again did a fantastic job of holding the ball up near halfway, before lofting an excellent ball over the top for James Virgili.
Virgili cut inside before squaring the ball to Taggart, only to see his first time shot well saved by Theo, before the Roar defence sent the ball clear.
Josh Brillante-s scorching follow up effort from 40 metres gained vapour trails as it out looked to be headed towards goal, only to be deflected behind for a corner by Jade North.
After the withstanding the Jets- best period of the first half, Brisbane went close to taking the lead in the 36th minute when Berisha received the ball from Broich, before working it onto his right boot and hitting a low shot that slid just past Birighitti-s post.
The Roar finished the first half with a wet sail, with Birighitti twice called on to make a sharp save at his near post on the stroke of half-time, firstly to deny Broich and then Dimitri Petratos.
Brisbane started the second stanza strongly, with Broich going on a darting run in the 49th minute before playing a ball into the box towards Luke Brattan.
Brattan let it run through to Berisha, who in turn played in Petratos, but the former Sydney FC striker could only slice his shot wide of the target.
A short time later Brattan stung the palms of Birighitti with a viscious free-kick from 25 metres out.
Birighitti was called into action again in the 57th minute, smothering Steven Lustica-s follow-up effort after the Jets has failed to clear their lines following a threatening cross from Broich.
The Jets were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 59th minute with Brillante working his way his way into the box where he was brought down by Shane Stefanutto and Japanese referee Takuto Okabe awarded a penalty.
Newcastle-s leading scorer Adam Taggart duly stepped-up and sent Theo the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give the Jets a 1-0 lead.
The Jets had a golden opportunity to double their advantage in the 63rd minute with Virgili latching on to Heskey-s flicked-on header before taking a clever touch to skip past Stefanutto.
Virgili-s pace allowed him to break clear and carry the ball forward, but with only Theo to beat, Virgili dragged his shot wide of the target.
Brisbane pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying stages, with Petratos cutting inside from the right in the 71st minute before hitting a left-footed shot that forced Birighitti to get down low and make a save.
The home side-s best opportunity to snatch a share of the spoils came inside the final 10 minutes, with Brattan going on a surging run forward and sliding a ball through to Henrique.
However, with only Birighitti standing between the Brazilian and an equaliser, Henrique hit the post with his side-footed shot, summing up a frustrating night for the Roar and ensuring the Jets made it three wins from three attempts against Brisbane this season.
Brisbane Roar 0
Newcastle Jets 1 (Taggart 59-)
