PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND – NEWCASTLE JETS

Well, we knew the Jets had been improving gradually this season but I don’t think we expected a result quite like this. Playing against one of the top teams this season, the Newcastle side knew they were going to be in for a tough challenge but they rose to the occasion perfectly.

Brisbane Roar had only lost one of their previous 11 games and that was to league leaders Sydney FC. Brisbane were also undefeated at home this season and they took their chance early, finding a goal inside the first quarter of an hour.

Tommy Oar released a curling stunner past Jack Duncan to give Brisbane the lead but they failed to capitalise on their momentum with the game evening out. Brisbane’s failure to capitalise on their momentum saw Newcastle score just before half time with Andrew Hoole creating a beautiful chance out of nothing. Weaving between the Roar defence, Hoole released a shot past

It will be an easier match for the Jets next week but not without a challenge. They face Perth Glory in Newcastle and will have an opportunity to leap frog Perth and could move within two points of Brisbane who will come up against Melbourne Victory.

It was a great win for the Jets and they will be keen to keep up their form as they win our performance of the week.

PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND – CONNOR PAIN

What an impact off the bench. Sydney FC had been dominating until Pain came on with two goals already on the board and more seemingly inevitable. Within 13 minutes of Pain coming on, Central Coast had scored two and had a penalty opportunity, thanks largely in part to Pain’s performance.

Despite only being on the field for a limited time, he made an impact. He had the equal most fouls against him of any Central Coast player as the Sydney defence struggled to contain his energy and pace.

It was Joshua Brillante’s foul against him that gave them their first goal, after the free kick was pushed to the Roy O’Donovan by a Sydney FC player. It was Pain being taken out by Rhyan Grant that gave Central Coast their penalty which they somehow failed to put into the net, and it was his excellent through ball that gave Central Coast the breakaway to score their final goal.

It may have simply been his energy coming off the bench with Sydney FC depleted but Pain deserves praise for almost single-handedly getting the Mariners back into the game. He has become a protagonist at the club and should be looking to start next week against the Wellington Phoenix, a match that the Mariners could very well win.

One of the shortest performances of the weekend but Pain definitely deserves it this week.

GOAL OF THE WEEKEND – ANDREW HOOLE

Before this season, Hoole had barely ever found the back of the net. Now, he’s the Jets’ joint top scorer and this goal was one for him to remember.

Picking up the ball with six Roar players in front of him, he may have looked for a pass but instead went himself. Having fought off Thomas Kristensen, Hoole then skipped past Matt McKay before releasing a shot with two defenders pressing towards him.

Releasing it near the corner of the box, Hoole flashed it in front of Michael Theo with the ball smashing into the side netting.

Whilst there were many spectacular goals this weekend, such a Tommy Oar’s, they lacked the build up which made Hoole’s so special. His ability to weave past two of the best midfielders in the country, then release a shot like that is no small feat. A well deserved goal of the weekend in light of so much competition.

FLOP OF THE WEEKEND – ADELAIDE UNITED

Adelaide again are having serious problems. In a match they should have won, they again, could not find the final product. Times are getting desperate for Adelaide who may have been hopeful of seeing a miraculous comeback like last year. At this point, they are 30 points off first and even the finals are starting to get far away.

If Adelaide are going to invest anywhere this January, it should be in their strike force. Having twice as many shots as the Victory, they only had one more shot on target, showing that their troubles come from the final third.

Unlike the Victory, who found two goals from four shots on target, Adelaide had nothing to show for their five. Sergi Guardiola, who was supposed to be a marquee striker, only got two shots on target from his seven shots.

They had every chance to win this game and what a win it would have been against a team like Victory. Unfortunately, they squandered every chance they were given and it’s no wonder the supporters are getting angry.

They have been one of the flops of the season and unfortunately, they get the flop of the weekend too.

REFEREE WATCH

Well, the big talking point of this week was probably David Carney’s goal. Whilst Sydney had dominated the game for most of the match, they found themselves drawing 2-2 with the Mariners. A break immediately after conceding put Sydney inside the box with Carney finding the back of the net from a cross. There was only one problem. He was offside.

The play happened quickly and the number of Sydney players crowding the assistant’s view may have meant he simply didn’t see it but many will still be upset by the decision. It meant the difference between a loss and a crucial draw for the Mariners who will have felt they deserved more from that game.

The Mariners can felt hardly done by with this decision and it will definitely be a talking point in the pubs of Gosford for a week or two to come.