It was a tough day out for Jets Youth on Sunday as they were defeated 6-1 by Maitland Magpies FC.
Played in wet and soggy conditions, the Magpies took the lead just eight minutes in after they were awarded free kick on the edge of the Jets’ 18 yard box. Joshua Dutton-Black stepped up for the home side and sent his free kick sailing into the goal past a full stretched Tristan Esquilant.
Maitland doubled their lead in the 23rd minute after Matthew Comerford found Chris Fayers with a superb diagonal long ball. Fayers did the rest, placing the ball across the face of the goal and into the back of the net.
Maitland made it three just minutes later when Comerford and Dutton -Black linked up on the edge of the Jets’ penalty area. The slick one-two combination ended up at the feet of Comerford who slid the ball low and hard into the goal.
The Jets got their first sight on goal 31 minutes in when a cross found the head of Finn Parris. Parris’ header however did not trouble Maitland keeper Matthew Trott, as he watched it sail wide of his goal.
The Jets started the second half brightly and forced Trott into a good save in the 52nd minute. Marc Moric leapt high and sent his header towards the corner of the net, but Trott matched the brilliant effort with a sublime save to keep the score at 3-0.
Maitland turned the screws in the 64th minute when an unmarked Liam Thornton finished well from a corner to make the score 4-0.
Things got worse for the Jets just two minutes later thanks to a stunning half volley from Maitland captain Carl Thornton. Thornton’s strike went flying past keeper Esquilant and in via a touch of the crossbar.
Second half substitute Ben Martin made it 6-0 in the 74th minute after he was slid in behind the defence thanks to a good ball from Jordan Elphick. Martin got his shot away just in time to beat the sliding Mitchell Dobson.
Rhyan Smith scored a stunner for the Jets in the 75th minute from the edge of the area. Trott could only watch as the fizzing shot was sent into the top corner.
A positive out of Sunday’s game was the return of Daniel Alessi who played for the first time since tearing his ACL early in the Hyundai A-League pre-season last year.
Clayton Zane and his squad now turn their focus to playing Charlestown City Blues on Saturday afternoon at Lisle Carr Oval.
Saturday afternoon vs Charlestown
Venue: Lisle Carr Oval
Kick off: 2:30pm
