Following a defeat which could’ve gone the other way in Adelaide last weekend, the Jets were looking to bounce back against a Melbourne City side which suffered defeat themselves in Round 9.
This match in the Hunter marked milestone games for Nikolai Topor-Stanley (300 in the Hyundai A-League), Steven Ugarkovic (100 for the Newcastle Jets and in the Hyundai A-League), and Matt Ridenton (100 in the Hyundai A-League).
Unfortunately, this turned out to be a game which won’t live happily in the memory of any of those three players or indeed anyone in Jets colours after City romped home to a 4-0 win.
The goals started early, with Adrian Luna capitalising off a deflection to steer home in just the 3rd minute of play.
As both sides settled into the flow of the match, City defending a lead and Newcastle chasing from virtually the outset, the Jets had a few good chances through Dimi Petratos.
Thomas Glover was proving his equal in the City goal however, and Melbourne added insult to injury in the 28th minute when Luna rose highest to head home for his second.
Almost immediately after the half-time break, City scored again after a stunning strike from a tight angle from Cabrera made it three.
An interesting and rarely seen indirect free-kick was blown shortly after in Newcastle’s favour following Thomas Glover holding the ball for too long in his own penalty box, but Newcastle couldn’t capitalise.
Jamie Maclaren could capitalise just prior to the hour mark however, scoring the fourth for Melbourne of the afternoon.
Newcastle will now look ahead to next Saturday night as they head west to tackle Perth Glory.
