First place was potentially on the line for the Jets, who travelled to Valentine Sports Park to face a Western Sydney outfit with whom they were level on points.
A goal in the opening stanza had the home side ahead despite a tight game, but two in the second made sure it was the Wanderers who’d shoot to the top.
The Wanderers started the first half positively which meant there was plenty for custodian, Noah James to do and he did it well – a string of saves to keep the ledger square in the opening stages.
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As the visitors settled into the match, the Jets began to carve out a couple of chances. Maki Petratos was doing his best to put Newcastle in behind, and both Cole Mutton and Joey O’Connor went close.
In the 23rd minute, Andrea Agamomnonos put the Wanderers ahead after finishing off a silk passage of play. Noah James ensured they didn’t make it two shortly after, getting down low to deny Manyiel Majok.
22’ | CHANCE
Maki Petratos sends a wicked ball in, and Joey O’Connor’s shot is saved! The deflection falls to Thurgate, whose shot grazes the bar on the way over. #WSWvNEW #YLeague #MadeOfNewcastle
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) December 8, 2018
The game levelled out slightly and there were chances for both sides – Agamomnonos hit the crossbar and Kosta Petratos sent one just wide before the half time whistle.
Only five minutes into the second half, the Wanderers doubled their lead through the good work of Mathieu Cordier. The attacking fullback bombed up the line and got a ball in for Lachlan Scott, who made no mistake from close in front to fire home.
Cordier had a go at picking up a goal for himself minutes later, but a determined Noah James stuck an arm out and made a nice reflex save to keep the Wanderers out.
The Jets had a chance of their own shortly after, when Maki Petratos rose but couldn’t meet the ball with his head after Cole Mutton curled one in from the left-hand side.
Lachlan Scott had a shot pushed just wide, before Angus Thurgate went so close at the back post in the afters of the corner if not for the quick thinking of Wanderers keeper Nicholas Suman.
With a little over 15 minutes left on the clock, the Wanderers scored a third to put things out of sight. There was a goalmouth scramble which saw Tate Russell come up with the ball to fire home and make it three-nothing – and that’s how it’d finish.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Agamomnonos 23’, Scott 53’, Russell 74’) def. Newcastle Jets 0
Saturday 8 December, 7:30pm at Valentine Sports Park
