The Newcastle Jets Youth team defeated Lake Macquarie City 8-2 at Macquarie Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Newcastle Jets youth team have returned to the top of the NBN State League table following an 8-2 thumping of Lake Macquarie City at Macquarie Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Jets took a 3-1 lead into the halftime break before the floodgates opened in the second half with Lake Macquarie reduced to 10 men.
Kale Bradbery scored four goals to increase his season tally to 15, while Jacob Pepper, Andrew Hoole, Luke Remington and McLean Nadfalusi also got their names on the scoresheet.
The second-half rout pleased Newcastle Jets assistant coach Craig Deans who has emphasised the importance of being more clinical in the front third in recent weeks.
“It was better than previous weeks and I think it was also good because Lake Macqaurie were down to ten men,” Deans said.
“It can sometimes make it more difficult to break down teams with 10 men because they tend to sit back a bit.
“We spoke about it at halftime and they created a number of chances and probably could have scored a few more goals then they did, so it was pleasing from that point of view.
“They-re younger than most of the teams they are playing so they-ve got the fitness and speed on their side. If they use it properly it can be a real bonus for them.”
Deans said it was disappointing the Jets conceded two goals, but it was something they would continue to work on.
“Sometimes when you-re controlling the game you can become a little bit lazy,” he said.
“The boys know that and to their credit they asked a few questions about that at the end of the game and how they can stop that from happening.”
The win moved the Jets into first place in the NBN State League on 29 points, one ahead of Broadmeadow Magic who drew 1-1 with Weston Bears on Sunday.
The Jets will face a tougher test on Saturday when they face third-placed Hamilton Olympic at Darling St Oval. Olympic are just one win behind the Jets but have a game in hand.
