Jets v Mariners

A-League report by Robert Szomolnocki
Newcastle United Jets v Central Coast Mariners


Saso Petrovski came off the bench and with almost the last kick of the game denied his former club three points in a dramatic finish to the local derby.

It starts brightly for the visitors Bozanic threads a pass through for Simon who hits a shot from an acute angle but Kennedy saves.

The home team should of taken the lead on 9 minutes Jesic beautifully keeps possession in the middle of the park looks up, finds Jeffers who has only Ryan to beat, Jeffers can only hit a soft shot wide of the far upright.

Elrich wins the ball in the middle of the park he back heels for Jeffers who has 3 defenders around him, Jeffers still manages a shot which dips over the cross bar.

Rose is looking good whenever he has possession he plays a one two with Amini and is through on goal he blasts one at the near post but Kennedy saves.

On the half hour Jeffers is off with a groin injury replaced by Haliti, a McGlinchey free kick finds Bozanic who rounds two defenders in a crowded penalty area but has his point blank shot saved by Kennedy.

The last first half action has a Wehrman corner headed goal bound by Milicevic, Rose sticks a leg out to save, the ball ends up with Abbas who curls one into the far top corner but Ryan makes a great diving save.

Its 0-0 at half time.

The second half has Elrich going on a long run he finds Wehrman who skips past a defender and hits one but its wide of the upright.

On 49 minutes a Bozanic cross finds Amini who passes to Simon who is unmarked he hits a low one across Kennedy to score, 1-0 CCM.

On the hour The Jets look dangerous as they pass the ball around the penalty area the move ends with Elrich firing just wide.

Rose makes a 60 metre run with blinding pace from his own half he delivers a cross but Kennedy saves.

On 76 minutes the Jets miss a golden chance as Elrich crosses, the ball falls to Wehrman who has not one but two chances to score from point blank range as Ryan makes a double save.

The Mainers miss a golden chance to wrap the game up a Sainsbury cross has Bozanic in front of goal and failing to connect and then Kwasnik also failing to touch the ball in.

The final minutes has the home team pressing a Wehrman free kick has Topor-Stanley getting in a header in but its wide, Haliti with one minute to go, races at the defence threads a pass for Wehrman but his near post shot is saved by Ryan.

Then finally a Topor-Stanley throw in has Kantarovski flicking on for Petrovski to poke home its 1-1.

The final seconds has enough time for the Mariners to win it, Lewis is found from a long pass but Kennedy saves and its a draw.