Goals to new boys Roy O’Donovan and Dimitri Petratos helped Newcastle Jets to secure a 2-0 friendly win over Weston Workers Bears FC on Tuesday evening.
The friendly in the Coalfields against the PS4 National Premier Leagues side was Ernie Merrick’s first fixture in charge of the Club, and commenced a run three games against local opposition over the coming weeks.
The Jets are preparing for the Club’s 2017 Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 assault on Adelaide United in South Australia on August 9, and also the team’s 13th season in the Hyundai A-League, which kicks off in October.
15 minutes in to the match Irish star O’Donovan broke the deadlock following superb lead up play involving Petratos and Andrew Nabbout.
Not long into the second half Petratos doubled Newcastle’s advantage. The former Brisbane Roar and Ulsan Hyundai man received a precise pass from Wayne Brown before showing some quick feet in the area and sliding the ball beyond Weston custodian Kane Runge.
The Jets went close to scoring more times in the match, particularly through O’Donovan and Petratos who both rattled the woodwork.
“It was good to have a run tonight and Weston made it tough for us, they were difficult to break down,” Newcastle Jets Head Coach Merrick said following the match.
“Given the amount of training that we have done over the past two weeks and also this morning I thought we showed some good signs under fatigue.
“It’s a start, but there’s a lot of work to do over the coming weeks and months,” he said.
The Jets will return to friendly match action next Wednesday evening against Broadmeadow Magic FC at Magic Park. Kick-off is at 7:00pm and the game will be streamed live on the Club’s official Facebook page in collaboration with BarTV Sports.
Weston Workers Bears FC 0
Newcastle Jets FC 2 (O’Donovan 16’, Petratos 47’)
Rockwell Automation Park, Weston
