Newcastle Jets produced a sizzling second half display on Sunday to defeat Hyundai A-League Premiership hopefuls Melbourne City 2-1 at Hunter Stadium.
7,266 Jets Members and supporters witnessed Serbian marksman Milos Trifunovic net twice as Scott Miller’s men secured their fifth win of the campaign.
The victory over the Melburnians also ensured that the Jets advanced a place on the A-League standings.
Both the Jets and City had half chances to take the lead during the first half of the fixture, but it was in the second stanza that the game truly came to life.
Indeed, the second stanza was only a few minutes old when Newcastle were awarded a penalty for what was deemed to be a handball in the box.
Trifunovic took full advantage of the opportunity from 12 yards, sending a low and composed effort beyond former Denmark international custodian Thomas Sørensen to put the Jets ahead and score his seventh of the season in the process.
FULL-TIME! 2-1 JETS!!! THE THREE POINTS ARE STAYING IN THE HUNTER!!! ???
Posted by Newcastle Jets on Saturday, 6 February 2016
Just minutes later Trifunovic could, and perhaps should, have had his second of the match. Fellow Serbian Enver Alivodic sent a great cross into the box which wasn’t dealt with by the City backline, however Trifunovic’s strike lacked the necessary power to pass Sørensen from close range.
Alivodic whizzed an effort just wide of Sørensen’s right post in the 54th minute before new Jets Danish recruit Morten Nordstrand entered the fray. With one of his first acts at Hunter Stadium, Nordstrand forced City utility Jacob Melling into a foul after he whizzed in on goal. Referee Adam Fielding sent the Melbourne youngster from the field.
A man up and a goal to the good, the Jets pushed to extend their lead. Miller’s men received their reward in the 72nd minute when Trifunovic slid a great first time finish into the back of the net following a flowing team move and precise square pass into the box from Nordstrand.
City’s dangerous marksman Bruno Fornaroli netted his 15th goal of the season in the 79th minute after he headed home a chipped cross by substitute Nick Fitzgerald, however ultimately the goal from the Uruguayan front man proved to be a mere consolation as Newcastle saw the game out to secure an important win in front of an energetic home crowd.
Newcastle Jets 2 (Trifunovic 48’ pen, 72’)
Melbourne City 1 (Fornaroli 79’)
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 7,266
Referee: Adam Fielding
Newcastle Jets: 1. Mark Birighitti (Gk), 2. Daniel Mullen, 3. Jason Hoffman, 4. Nigel Boogaard (C),7. Enver Alivodic, 8. Mateo Poljak, 9. Milos Trifunovic, 10. Leonardo (19. Morten Nordstrand 63’), 14. Mitch Cooper (17. Radovan Pavicevic 85’), 16. Steven Ugarkovic, 24. Nicholas Cowburn, 28. Ryan Kitto
Substitutes not used: 6. Cameron Watson, 20. Ben Kennedy (Gk), 22. Lachlan Jackson
Yellow cards: Hoffman, Cowburn, Ugarkovic
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne City: 1. Thomas Sørensen (Gk), 5. Ivan Franjic, 8. Aaron Mooy, 9 Harry Novillo, 11. Michael Zullo (19. Benjamin Garrucio 73’), 18. Paulo Retre (27. Nicholas Fitzgerald 53’), 22. Jack Clisby, 23. Bruno Fornaroli, 24. Patrick Kisnorbo (C), 25. Jacob Melling, 33. Osama Malik (16. Jason Trifiro 80’)
Substitutes not used: 17. Wade Dekker, 20. Dean Bouzanis (Gk)
Yellow cards: Sørensen, Malik, Clisby, Franjic
Red cards: Melling
