The Jets youth team opened their 2013 NBN State League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Valentine FC on Saturday.
The Newcastle Jets youth team opened their 2013 NBN State League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Valentine FC at Cahill Park on Saturday.
Defender Nick Cowburn put the Jets in front inside the first ten minutes when he found the back of the net following a corner.
Koh Satake doubled the Jets- lead in the 39th minute with a powerful left-footed drive that gave Valentine shot-stopper Brad McKenzie no chance.
However, Valentine were able to get a goal back through Graham Toope right on the stroke of half-time, before Ethan Carusi levelled the scores shortly after the interval.
Neither team was able to make the most of their chances as the match wound to an end and the points were shared.
Despite relinquishing a 2-0 advantage, Jets youth team coach Clayton Zane said there were still plenty of positive elements to draw on from his team-s performance.
“The first half wasn-t too bad, we were quite happy with how they went,” Zane said.
“There-s still a lot of room for improvement with some of the younger boys because it is a big step up for them physically.
“I think in terms of how they adapted to the level of the league, the young ones did quite well though.”
Zane said Saturday-s result showed the young Jets players the need to have a ruthless streak in order not to let their opposition back into the match.
“We could have come in at 3-nil or 4-nil up at halftime, so we need to get better at killing the game off,” he said.
“At 2-nil up some of them might have started to think that the game was already sewn up, so hopefully it will be a good learning experience for them.”
The Jets youth will take on South Cardiff FC at Ulinga Oval on Saturday at 2.30pm in Round 2 of the NBN State League.
Newcastle Jets Youth 2 (Cowburn 9-, Satake 39-)
Valentine FC 2 (Toope 41-, Carusi 52-)
Emerging Jets results April 6 and April 7:
NBN State League 23s
U18 Emerging Jets 5 defeated Valentine FC 3.
NBN State League 19s
U16 Emerging Jets 4 defeated Valentine FC 2.
NBN State League 17s
U15 Emerging Jets 4 defeated Valentine FC 3.
Women-s Premier League First Grade
U18 Emerging Jets Girls 3 defeated Merewether United FC 1.
Women-s Premier League 18s
U15 Emerging Jets Girls 2 drew with Merewether United FC 2.
Metropolitan State Youth League 13s
U12 Emerging Jets Boys vs Newcastle Football Bombers (no result available).
Metropolitan State Youth League 12s
U13 Emerging Jets Girls 1 defeated by Hunter Valley Football Maroon 2.
U11 Emerging Jets Boys 2 defeated Hunter Valley Football Sky 0.
Metropolitan State Youth League 11s
U10 Emerging Jets Blue vs Hunter Valley Football Maroon (no result available).
U10 Emerging Jets Red vs Hunter Valley Football Sky (no result available).
