Roar Guru
Newcastle Jets remain winless in season 2014/15, surrendering yet another half-time lead to lose by two goals to the Wellington Phoenix.
The Jets got off to a flying start through marksman Joel Griffiths, who scored the opening goal thanks largely to David Carney’s pin-point assist.
While the Nix squandered a fistful of chances to equalise, the hosts couldn’t find a second goal – and that would prove decisive at the end of the 90 minutes.
Roly Bonevacia’s elaborate bicycle-kick attempt would seemingly spring the visitors into life; as Nathan Burns soon after equalised before Michael McGlinchey tapped home to give his side the lead.
Roy Krishna would cap the remarkable turn around with his strike from distance, rounding out a comfortable 3-1 win for the NZ based outfit.
FINAL SCORE:
Newcastle Jets – 1
Wellington Phoenix – 3
Wellington Phoenix will fancy their chances against Newcastle Jets after a 5-1 win over Melbourne City. Join The Roar for live blog coverage from 5:00pm (AEDT).
Despite an impressive victory against City last week, Wellington haven’t got the results so far this season to account for their impressive style of football.
They’ve managed just four wins from eight matches, and currently sit fifth on the ladder – four points behind Sydney FC.
While this is in no way a failure, it doesn’t reflect the fluid, attacking style of football that Wellington are capable of producing; on their day they look like Premier’s Plate contenders.
However this is also the best start to an A-League season that Phoenix have ever had, so Ernie Merrick is getting something right in New Zealand.
Meanwhile the sluggish Newcastle Jets are yet to record their first victory of the season, and currently sit one point from the bottom with just four points.
Newcastle have had moments of brilliance this season, with the likes of David Carney, Scott Neville and Marcos Flores producing some decent football, but they have lacked consistency.
They have the players to threaten teams like Wellington, with Carney registering the most crosses of anyone this season (60), but with no one in the middle, such a player is wasted. In their current form the Jets will be lacking the confidence to get a result tonight.
Expect another dazzling display from Nathan Burns and Michael McGlinchey, as well as Roy Krishna, who has found some form in recent weeks.
Prediction: 3-1 Wellington.