NEWCASTLE JETS 1-1 SYDNEY FC

Tonight’s game, by comparison, was a humbling return to reality – at least for the first 87 minutes. Newcastle looked completely out of ideas as Sydney took a first half lead through Alex Brosque, and seemed set to kill the game as only the Sky Blues can.

Late in the piece, however, Sydney gave away an unnecessary free kick on the right wing. That was all the invitation the Jets needed, as Dimi Petratos whipped in a terrific ball for substitute Nick Cowburn to head home. An important point gained for the Novocastrians, while Sydney will be dismayed that they let the win slip through their fingers.

NEWCASTLE JETS

Glen Moss - 4

Made an awful error for the opening goal, allowing Brosque’s rather tame header to squirm underneath his outstretched arm. Produced a good save to keep out Ninkovic in the second half, and brilliantly denied Lokolingoy in a 1v1 in stoppage time.

Daniel Georgievski - 5

Didn’t know whether to stick or twist with Ninkovic, who constantly dropped deep and drifted inside to make life difficult for the Jets fullback. As always, the effort and intensity was there for 90 minutes – which is more than can be said for some of his teammates.

Nigel Boogard – 7

Provided much-needed leadership at the back. Put in several excellent challenges, and his urgency with the ball really lifted his side in the last 20 minutes.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 5

Misread the bounce of the ball early on to let Le Fondre in on goal. Was generally solid for the rest of the game.  

Lachlan Jackson - 3

His use of the ball left much to be desired. Given a torrid time by Grant’s overlapping runs. A clear weak point in the side.

Ben Kantarovski – 5.5

Grew into the game after a poor start but didn’t provide much creativity – something his side were sorely lacking. The team improved after he was substituted.

Steven Ugarkovic – 6

Severely off his game in the first half, but as the Jets slowly kicked into gear in the second, so did he.

Dimi Petratos – 5.5

The birthday boy was virtually anonymous for large parts of the game. However, he came up with a terrific near post delivery from a free kick to set up Nick Cowburn’s goal.  

Ronald Vargas – 6

The Jets’ best opportunity of the first half fell to the Venezuelan, but he scuffed his effort straight at Redmayne. Many of his ideas didn’t come off, but he showed a willingness to show for the ball time and again and at least try to create something.

Jair - 4

Poor delivery from wide. Caught offside unnecessarily on a few occasions. Substituted midway through the second half after offering very little.

Jason Hoffman – 5.5

Toiled upfront to little effect. Struggled to influence the game. Had a decent opportunity in the 75th minute but skied his shot under pressure from Grant.

SUBS:

Kaine Sheppard – 7

Provided some of the movement and physicality upfront that Newcastle have been lacking in the absence of Roy O’Donovan.

Nick Cowburn – 8

Proved to be the unlikely hero as he scored his first A-League goal with a thumping header from a set piece.

Angus Thurgate – N/A

Unceremoniously thrown to the turf by Alex Wilkinson. Didn’t have enough time to be given a rating.

SYDNEY FC

Andrew Redmayne - 4

A virtual spectator for most of the game. His distribution was sloppy, as he shanked the ball out of play a couple of times. Beaten at his near post for the goal.

Rhyan Grant – 7.5

Really good delivery for the first goal, and was energetic and positive for the whole 90 minutes.

Alex Wilkinson – 5.5

Defended solidly, but consistently hoofed the ball long when he was put under any sort of pressure.

Jop van der Linden – 6

Committed a risky challenge on Hoffman in the first half that could have resulted in a penalty. Lovely through ball for Ninkovic that almost resulted in a goal.

Michael Zullo – 6.5

Not at his usual brilliant best, but provided width to complement Ninkovic, and his flank was rarely threatened.

Josh Brillante – 6.5

Didn’t have a huge impact on the game with the ball, but formed a wall in front of his defence that frustrated the Jets time and again. Picked up an unnecessary yellow card for a heavy challenge on Vargas.

Brandon O’Neill – 7

Great pass in the build up for the first goal. Applied excellent pressure in the middle of the park and protected his back four admirably. His influence dipped in the second half.

Paulo Retre – 5.5

Worked hard and tracked back diligently but gave the ball away too easily at times. Substituted in the 74th minute.

Milos Ninkovic – 8.5

Clever movement and delicate touches in tight areas. Completely ran the game, and the Jets simply had no answer for him. What a joy he is to watch.

Alex Brosque – 7.5

Opened the scoring with a glancing header and was his usual wily self. Linked up well with the midfield and won several free kicks with good body position. His constant berating of the referee is getting a little tiresome.

Adam Le Fondre – 6

Should have scored early on after a mistake let him through one on one, but uncharacteristically, he slid a side-footed effort well wide. Generally a lively and active presence, and several of his runs should have been rewarded with better deliveries.

SUBS:

Daniel de Silva – 5

Had few opportunities to work his magic on the ball, as the tide was turning in the Jets’ favour as soon as he came on.

Charles Lokolingoy – 4

Fluffed a golden opportunity to win the game when put through one on one with Moss.

Aaron Calver – N/A

Brought on deep into stoppage time.