2 weeks Ago By James Gardiner
The Newcastle Jets gave up a 1-0 lead to go down 2-1 to the Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium on Friday night and experience derby despair for a six straight time against their fierce rivals. Login or signup to continue reading After absorbing pressure in the first half, Tom Aquilina put the Jets ahead in the 64 th minute. However, the Mariners hit back with a goal to Brian Kaltak in the 66 th minute and an own-goal by Jets defender Aleks Susnjar (75th) to secure their first win of the season.
Kaltak's equaliser came after a rare mistake from Jets keeper Ryan Scott. The second was cruel for Susnjar, who had been immense. The Jets will feel aggrieved that they didn't get something from the match.
They had 56 per cent of possession, won the corner count 8-6 and had enough chances to win the game. But for all their desperation in defence, they lacked a cutting edge up front. Eli Adams was the most dangerous, but couldn't get anything to fall.
"We switched off for a little bit," Jets coach Rob Stanton said. "The games is about moments. "When you play enough big games and accumulate experience, you know how to manage that.
You are most vulnerable straight after you score. In the end we conceded what I considered a soft goal. "I though we played really well.
We had good possession in good area. We probably needed a few more forward runs in the first half. "Again, the game is about moments and we didn't take ours.
I thought we had plenty of chances to win the game. "I am disappointed with not winning but still pleased with the performance and the intent we showed." The loss was the Jets' third in four games and leaves them in 11 th spot on three points.
The Mariners entered the game on the back of three draws and a loss. Last season, the Mariners lost their opening four games before beating the Jets 3-1 in the derby. It turned their season around and they went on to win the premiers plate and championship.
The derby may have been at a neutral venue as part of Unite Round, but there was plenty of venom from both sides. Coach Rob Stanton overhauled the Jets starting XI, bringing in Clayton Taylor, Callum Timmins and Phil Cancar from the side humbled 4-1 by Western Sydney a fortnight ago. They replaced Brazilian Wellissol, Daniel Wilmering and Ben Gibson.
Stanton also altered the formation to a 3-5-2, with Clayton Taylor at left wing back. Timmins went into the referee's book in the sixth minute for a challenge on Sasha Kuzevski. Storm Roux returned serve on Timmins a minute later.
Harrison Steele was denied by a brilliant save from Scott at the near post in the 12 th minute and Lucas Mauragis tested the shot-stopper a minute later. But the best chance in an open quarter of an hour fell to Aquilina on the break. The defender-turned-attacker zeroed in on goal, but tried to play in Adams when the better option would have been to shoot.
The chances continued to flow. Mariners striker Alou Kuol should have done better in the 26 th minute when played in behind but with Scott to beat, he blazed high. It was helter-skelter at times.
Adams was the most likely for the Jets. Brian Kaltak was a beast at the back for the Mariners. The Jets had conceded five of their seven goals this season in the first half.
The match was in desperate need of a goal and Dane Ingham should have delivered it in the 60 th minute. Adams got to the by-line and cut a ball for an unmarked Ingham but he lifted his header over the bar. The goal came three minutes later.
Lachy Bayliss split the defence with a piercing pass for Ben Gibson, who had just replaced Taylor. His shot took a deflection off the keeper who rushed out and fell into the path of Aquilina. However, the lead lasted only two minutes.
The Jets had dealt well with crosses into the box, but one lapse was all it took for the Mariners to get back on level terms. Steele knocked a ball into a crowded box. Scott rushed off his line to punch clear but got nothing but air.
The ball went off the head of Kaltak and looped into the back of the net. Ten minutes late, the Mariners were in front albeit fortuitously. Mauragis whipped Ina cross for replacement Ryan Edmondson.
He couldn't get a touch and the ball cannoned into the leg of Susnjar and into the goal. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
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