Newcastle Jets get back to business

The Newcastle Jets continue their rejuvenated season with a determined 2-0 away victory over the North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Both goals came late in the second half during an intense physical battle between the two sides.

Following Sydney FC’s loss to the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford earlier in the night, both sides had a great incentive to climb the ladder and chase a finals berth. North Queensland started the better of the two sides and showed their attacking intent from the kickoff displaying signs of their form that helped them topple the Gold Coast in their previous outing.

The first genuine chance of the game fell to the Fury in the 10th minute. A lazy pass by Jets captained Ljubo Milicevic was cut out by Panagiotis Nikas who produced a stirring run through the middle of the park before launching a strike which cannoned into the crossbar.

Just moments later North Queensland had another golden opportunity to take the lead. Stand-in Newcastle goalkeeper Matthew Nash produced a brilliant save down low to his right to stop a goal bound snapshot by Dyron Daal.

Despite gaining some ascendancy midway thought the first half Newcastle were mainly limited to half chances. The Jets first chance of the half came from the set-piece in the 27th minute as England international Francis Jeffers teed his shot into the Fury wall.

Moment later the Jets had another chance to take the lead as Ruben Zadkovich embarked on a determined run through midfield before the ball was played through to Newcastle fullback Adam D'Apuzzo whose shot was deflected over the bar.

Newcastle were fortunate not to be down at the break as midfielder Joel Wheelhouse dwelled on the ball and was caught in possession by Jack Hingert who in turn played in Gareth Edds whose effort floated over the bar.

The second half started in similar fashion as talismanic Fury midfielder Edds blazed his volley over after an intelligent flick on from Daal.

The Fury front man continued to pull the strings when he played a precision ball to unleashed David Williams out wide who delivered a dangerous ball into the box which had to be put behind for a corner by Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

As the second half progressed the Jets began to dominate the flow of the game with substitute Sasho Petrovski and Joel Wheelhouse coming close to opening the scoring with two headed efforts.

However, the Jets persistence finally payed off in the 79th minute when Topor-Stanley powerfully headed home from just outside the six yard box from Kasey Wehrman’s corner.

North Queensland heavily pushed forward trying to find an equaliser, but were made to pay as the Jets went on the counter attack and sealed victory in stoppage time when Ali Abbas played in inform striker Petrovski who calmly found the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The victory now leaves Newcastle on the verge of the top six, while the Fury are left empty handed after another disappointing performance at home.