The Newcastle Jets defeated Weston Bears FC 3-0 in a pre-season trial match at Rockwell Automation Park on Thursday night.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defeated Weston Bears FC 3-0 in a pre-season trial match at Rockwell Automation Park on Thursday night.
Playing a 3-4-3 formation, the Jets began the match in a positive fashion, controlling possession and repeatedly threatening down the right flank through the enterprising play of James Virgili.
It came as no surprise when the 21-year-old winger opened the scoring midway through the first half with a powerful low strike across the Weston goalkeeper and into the bottom corner of the goal.
Mitch Oxborrow went close to doubling the Jets- advantage a short time later, but his long range effort was spectacularly saved.
Bobby Russell went even closer to adding to the Jets- lead with his curling effort from 25 metres out hitting the crossbar.
However, the Jets didn-t have to wait too long to go 2-0 up, with Virgili scoring his second of the match after cutting in from the right flank and firing a left-footed shot past the Weston goalkeeper.
Joey Gibbs looked dangerous up front for the Jets and tested the Weston goalkeeper on a number of occasions.
Gibbs eventually sealed the victory for the Jets early in the second half when he connected with Brandon Lundy-s cross into the six-yard box and finished in clinical fashion to make it 3-0.
Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said he was pleased with elements of his side-s play throughout the contest.
“It was a good performance from the perspective of getting game time and trying to work on combinations and rotations,” van Egmond said.
“There-s still plenty of work to do, but there were some promising signs tonight.”
Newcastle Jets 3 (Virgili 25′ 32′, Gibbs 55′)
Weston Bears FC 0
