Lessons to be learnt from Jets and Glory clash

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson believes staying on the Central Coast following last weekend's clash with the Central Coast Mariners wasn't as advantageous as first thought, in the lead up to facing an in-form Newcastle Jets yesterday.

A stellar effort from Newcastle Jets striker, Jeremy Brockie, helped the Newcastle Jets to a 2-0 victory over Glory at Ausgrid Statdium, in round five of the Hyundai A-League.

Ferguson said the travel arrangements was something that would need to be looked at closer next time.

"There were a lot of good positives from it [staying in a hotel on the Central Coast]. One was that we didn't travel. Two, we got all our sessions in. The downside of that is that you stay in a hotel for a week...away from their families and kids."

It was Kiwi international Jeremy Brockie who found the back of the net in the 10th and 11th minutes putting a new and refreshed Jets into the lead.

Newcastle looked solid in attack, pressuring the Glory defence early on as former English striker Francis Jeffers made his return to the squad after his visa was approved. Jeffers and the Jets’ Ruben Zadkovich harassed the Glory defenders while Kasey Wehrman and skipper Jobe Wheelhouse dominated the midfield in a tight match that saw six yellow cards handed out.

Despite multiple opportunities in the second for Glory to go level with the Jets the home side were too good, effectively shutting down any chances and handing Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond his first win in the hot seat. The win puts Jets into equal second with Glory on nine points, behind Brisbane Roar on 13.

The Jets were the dominating team early on, their efforts transpiring with Brockie striking gold in the 10th minute. A through-ball from Wheelhouse created a fantastic opportunity for Brockie to weave his way into box to slot one into the back of the net, past a stunned Glory ‘keeper Daniel Vukovic, taking the Jets to a 1-0 lead.

The 13, 383 fans barely had time to breathe before they were on their feet celebrating again after Brockie got his second goal within a minute.

A finessed chip over the top from Kasey Werhman saw Brockie beat his marker Glory defender Seb van der Brink after some fancy footwork, getting the ball on to his right foot, smashing the ball into the back of the net, putting the game to bed before it even started.

A disappointed Glory went into the sheds at half time with little to no opportunities created in the first, but returned in the second with more fight and gusto, with two substitutions being made by Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson during the break.

Shane Smeltz, who has scored the most goals against the Newcastle Jets than any other Hyundai A-League side, attempted to put one in the back of the net, only to watch in frustration as the dipping volley cannoned off the crossbar in the 60th minute.

The New Zealand International was well marked by Jets young gun Taylor Regan, with the pair being involved in an altercation that saw both of them given a yellow card in the 62nd minute.

An out-dated FIFA rule means Smeltz won’t face further punishment and will be able to start against Sydney next week, despite the “Liverpool kiss” he shared with Regan, after the match referee Stebre Delovski chose to deal with the matter on the pitch.

Glory’s Travis Dodd worked his way into a goal-scoring position late in the second but his shot was disposed of by Regan as the Jets battled until the final whistle went, taking the three points.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond was delighted with the win, complimenting his team’s mentality entering the match.

“Even in the dressing room itself, it was the atmosphere of a side that would come out and really perform,” he said.

“You could tell right from the first whistle that they were on. It was a great start, with Jeremy getting two goals.

“Fantastic start, if we were a little bit critical of ourselves, could we have gone on with it a little bit more?”

Despite not finding the back of the net, Jeffers’ presence seemed to lift the team, for the 67 minutes he played before being replaced by Haliti.

Van Egmond praised his performance and return to the side.

‘He’s a smart player, he links up and he was a little bit unlucky not to score in the second half.”

The next major lesson the Jets must learn from Van Egmond, whose unique coaching style is clearly beginning to have an effect on the side, is how to win in all circumstances.

"For next week? Learn to win away from home.”

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson had little to say after the game, obviously disappointed with his teams efforts.

“First half in particular it was very bad the way we started.”

“To give Newcastle two goals head start was unthinkable, that’s what we did and were behind the eight ball after that.”

In preparation of next weeks game, Ferguson believes success in next weeks game will be a matter of finding the missing piece of the puzzle.

"We go back. We will analyse the game and see what we are missing. We'll go back and work on a few things, cause I just felt at times we were very lacklustre.

"I wasn't happy at half time either, so we decided to try and stay calm and make a few changes and let the boys know we were unhappy. And then we go the reaction I was looking for which was good."

Round Six of the Hyundai A-League kicks off next Friday night as Adelaide United take on Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh stadium.

Perth will have a week to regroup ahead of their clash with Sydney at nib Stadium on Saturday while the Jets fly to Melbourne ahead of their match against a lacklustre Melbourne Heart, who are yet to win a game this season.