Griffiths' double salvages point for Jets

Newcastle Jets have Ryan Griffiths to thank for keeping them in the finals hunt after they gifted Sydney FC two goals, before a Griffiths’ double from the penalty spot leveled the scores at 2 - 2 in a match that finished in dramatic fashion.

A heavily depleted Sydney FC side were heading toward victory until captain,Terry McFlynn, was sent off for denying a goal with his hand, with Ryan Griffiths scoring the equaliser for the Jets from the resulting penalty a minute before time.

The Jets were their own worst enemy in a scrappy affair, with two cheap turnovers in critical areas of the park allowing Del Piero and Powell to score for Sydney FC.

Sydney FC went ahead first in the 12th minute when McFlynn stole possession just outside the Jets’ 18 yard area from Jets defender, Chapman, and did well to direct the ball to an unmarked Del Piero in the box. From there, the rest was history as Del Piero finished expertly to his right to give the Sky Blues the lead.

Moments later the Jets were level, the game exploding to life when Ryan Griffiths burst into Sydney FC’s box and, though there appeared to be minimal contact, drew a clumsy foul from Grant to win his side a penalty.



Adam Griffiths earned himself a yellow card trying some cheeky banter to put his brother off, but it did little to unnerve Ryan Griffiths, who scored with a cool finish in the bottom right 16 minutes in.

The Jets should have taken the lead soon after when Griffiths did well to muscle his way past Grant again and into the box. With Goodwin bursting down the left, square of goal, it should have been a simple pass and tap in, but Griffiths well overcooked the pass.

Sydney FC scored again just after the break from another disastrous mistake from the Jets. This time it was Zadkovich who coughed up possession to McFlynn, though the result was the same.



Del Piero again was the lucky recipient, this time slipping Abbas in behind to shoot. Birighitti did well to save but could only push the ball into the path of Powell, who made no mistake from two yards out to give his side the lead.

McFlynn went from hero to zero when he gave away a penalty and was sent off for a goal line handball in the 89th minute. Ryan Griffiths saved his side their blushes and made no mistake from the spot to ensure the score ended level at 2 - 2.

Honourable mention goes to Janjetovic for nearly killing two of his team mates with his knee. It’s not like Sydney FC coach, Frank Farina, needs players, anyway.



NEWCASTLE JETS: Birighitti (GK), Neville, Mitchell, Brown, Zadkovich (C), Heskey, Chapman, Brillante, Goodwin, Griffiths, Hoole.


BENCH: Duncan (GK), Caravella, Virgili, Bridges.

SYDNEY FC: Janjetovic (GK), Ryall, Sherlock, A. Griffiths, Del Piero, Powell, McFlynn (C), Antonis, Abbas, Grant, Triantis.
BENCH: Necevski (GK), Reid, McClenahan, Chianese.