Sydney FC proved too strong for the Jets on Friday evening at Leichhardt Oval, with Sky Blues running out 4-1 winners.
The home side opened the scoring through Milos Ninkovic with just six minutes played, despite the early setback the Jets responded immediately and it was Matt Millar who levelled proceedings after just nine minutes of play.
After initially winning the free-kick in a dangerous area, Millar rose highest to power home a header from a pinpoint Dimi Petratos cross to put the Jets back on level terms.
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As the half wore on, both sides had chances to take the lead, with Jason Hoffman unlucky not to get the right touch on a pinpoint ball from Koutroumbis in the 33rd minute.
It was to be Sydney who took the advantage to the sheds, with Rhyan Grant’s low cross from the right steered home by Adam Le Fondre in the 42nd minute.
Ernie Merrick made a tactical switch at halftime, withdrawing Angus Thurgate and bringing on Ben Kantarovski, but it was the home side who found the first goal of the half.
Sydney extended their lead in the 51st minute after Johnny Koutroumbis inadvertently deflected Ryan McGowan’s shot into the back of his own net from a corner.
Kosta Barberouses added a fourth for Sydney in the 65th minute to extend their lead to 4-1.
Nick Fitzgerald was brought on in the place of Abdiel Arroyo with 20 minutes remaining and was quickly into the action, almost helping the Jets reduce the deficit. He, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, and Jason Hoffman had the best of the chances in the final 15 minutes to pull one back, but the goal wasn’t forthcoming.
Newcastle return home in Round 5 of the Hyundai A-League, up against Perth Glory on Saturday 9 November at McDonald Jones Stadium.
