Sydney FC push past Jets in a game of two halves

It was a game of two halves at Ausgrid Stadium tonight as the Newcastle Jets at home, took on Sydney FC in front of over 13,000 fans.

The match, touted as being a “season definer” for the Jets, ended in disappointment after an improved Sydney FC outclassed the Novacastrians in the second half to seal victory.

The Sky Blues were on the back foot for most of the first half, failing to create opportunities in comparison to the home side who looked dangerous early on.

With regular Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy returning, Francis Jeffers in the starting mix and Taylor Regan replacing an injured Nikolai Topor-Stanley, the home side looked refreshed after their loss to the Mariners last week in Gosford.

A stunning cross from Ruben Zadkovich put them in front after a deflection off the head of Sky Blues captain and defender Terry McFlynn fell straight onto the right foot of Jeremy Brockie for a beautiful volley straight into the back of the net, putting the Jets up 1-0 in the 24th minute.

Sydney must have been grateful to head into the sheds at half time only at 1-0 down, with over 10 shots on goal from the Jets after the first 30 minutes.

The second half was like something out of Freaky Friday with the two sides seemingly swapping confidence and gameplay, Sydney becoming increasing dominant, much to the pleasure of the traveling Cove.

Despite looking the second best team on the pitch in the first half, the Sky Blues returned to the field looking refreshed and renewed - an early shot from Nicky Carle invigorating Sydney’s attack in the second. Despite Socceroo Brett Emerton’s notable absence in the second stanza, Sydney were able to capitalise on holes in the Jets’ defence with a goal from Bruno Cazarine in the 59th minute after a pass from Karol Kisel made way for Carazine to fire one past Kennedy.

Jets manager Gary Van Egmond must have been feeling the pressure midway in the second, substituting Francis Jeffers with Labinot Haliti in the 59th minute, which failed to pay dividends. A cheeky chip from Sydney’s Nicky Carle for Juho Makela turned sour after Jets defender Taylor Regan handled Makela inside the 18-yard box, which saw him given a yellow by match referee Chris Beath and concede a free kick to Sydney.

Not content with a draw Sydney FC pushed ahead, slotting the ball past Kennedy again in the 83rd as a corner cross placed the ball at the feet of Pascal Bosschaart who set the ball up for a beautiful conversion by Juho Makela.

Just as Sydney became too strong for the Jets in the dying stages, so too apparently did The Cove for the newly renovated Ausgrid Stadium as the celebrating fans broke the lower fence, with some falling onto the field - much to the displeasure of local police and security.

In the end, it was an improved Sydney FC in the second half which saw them take the three, cementing their winning streak in the Hunter to six from 11.

Crowd attendance: 13,568

The Football Sack ‘Player of the Year’ points

3 Nicky Carle
2 Jeremy Brockie
1 Juho Makela