Coming off the bye, which had been preceded by a season-first win, Newcastle knew they needed all three points to kick-start their season and start climbing the ladder.
As was the case last week, Angus Thurgate again proved the hero – he came from the bench with less than half an hour to play and provided a goal and an assist to clinch the win.
It means Newcastle now sit level on points with Brisbane in 6th while last night’s opponents – Western Sydney Wanderers – are within a win.
The home side started strongly, following a short delay in proceedings due to a ball to the face for Jason Hoffman, and it was the #3 who had the first chance of the game with 15 minutes gone – but Lopar was equal to it.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268485001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6110747800001
A pair of chances very nearly could have marked an opening goal for the Jets on the half hour mark, as first Nick Fitzgerald forced another great save from Daniel Lopar before a bit of pinball in the area looked promising, but neither Abdiel Arroyo nor Dimi Petratos could get a shot off.
Chances from outside the area presented themselves to both Steven Ugarkovic and Fitzgerald, but Lopar was equal to both as the sides went into the sheds level and the Jets well and truly on top.
It was a different story as the Wanderers came bounding out of the sheds and thought they’d had a penalty in the 54th minute after Lachlan Jackson brought down a Western Sydney attacker inside the area, but Kurt Ams waved play on after reviewing the VAR.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268485001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6110753440001
Then it was Mossy’s turn to make a couple of worldy saves – a double stop at close range to deny Western Sydney on the hour mark and keep the boys in the hunt.
The introduction of Angus Thurgate just after Moss’ efforts seemed to change the game, and it bore fruit in the 78th minute as the ‘Port Macquarie Pele’ struck to open the scoring.
With their tails up and sensing blood in the water, the Jets forced Daniel Lopar into an incredible series of saves to deny first Matt Ridenton, then Nikolai Topor-Stanley and finally, Nick Fitzgerald.
There was simply nothing the Spaniard shot-stopper could do about the next chance though. Angus Thurgate broke the offside trap and streaked through the lines, waited for the exact right moment, and teed up Dimi Petratos for a goal which would give many a FIFA player nightmares.
