The high-flying Newcastle Jets take on bottom-of-the-table Wellington Phoenix this afternoon as round seven of the A-League continues at Hunter Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
A look at the form lines, and indeed the table, says that this should be a comfortable home win for Newcastle, who came into the weekend sitting in third position, one point behind league leaders Central Coast and Adelaide.
Emile Heskey is in excellent form with five goals from six matches and has perfectly dovetailed with the youthful squad that Gary van Egmond has built.
Despite going down 1-0 to an early goal from Joey Gibbs, the Jets rebounded to lead 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from Heskey and fellow striker Ryan Griffiths and held firm in the second half to take all three points.
But if there is one team in the A-League that can never be underestimated, it is Ricki Herbert’s side Phoenix. A budget squad filled with New Zealand internationals and journeyman players, Wellington can beat anyone on their day.
They may be winless since round one, but the Kiwis have an excellent record against Newcastle and the Phoenix’s hardened professionals could cause the youthful Jets with their physicality.
Prediction
2-1 Newcastle. In a competition where draws are strangely rare, I can see the young Jets snatching a late winner in front of the Hunter.
Stevo
Guest
Didn't see match today but from the accounts I'll be happy if Jets bring their game down to Melbourne next weekend :)
kelvin g
Guest
i'd like to see perth glory lose at home too, come on mate!!!
kelvin g
Guest
can the australian FA look to see if a possible match fixing here?!
wisey_9
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Jets 0 – 3 Nix And it's all over. Not the prettiest spectacle today, but the Nix deservedly won. Ricki Herbert executed a perfect smash and grab job, and will be delighted to see his Nix spring from last place into 6th. It's back to the drawing board for GVE, as his Jets team were insipid today...
wisey_9
Roar Guru
95′ Jets 0 – 3 Nix Totori beats everyone on the break, and then misses from point blank range...
wisey_9
Roar Guru
87′ Jets 0 – 3 Nix A streaker has interrupted play... probably the most entertaining move by a Novocastrian today...
wisey_9
Roar Guru
86′ Jets 0 – 3 Nix GOAL! Paal Ifill converts a penalty well won by Totori. Mitchell is lucky to still be on the park... Newcastle have just not shown up today.
kelvin g
Guest
What a joke! 68 POSSESSION 32 , heskey eat this!!!
wisey_9
Roar Guru
82′ Jets 0 – 2 Nix Brown off, Bridges on for the Jets...
kelvin g
Guest
as i predicted, the sucker punch to hand the final coffin to the jets funeral!!
wisey_9
Roar Guru
80′ Jets 0 – 2 Nix GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLL! Brockie nets his second! Once again, some pretty dire defence from the Jets allows Brockie to nod home a ball after some scrappy play in the box...
wisey_9
Roar Guru
79' Jets 0 – 1 Nix Fenton off, Totori on for the Nix
kelvin g
Guest
bad luck and no determination at home cost the home team and fans ultimate failure and humiliation, shame!
wisey_9
Roar Guru
78′ Jets 0 – 1 Nix The game just seems to be petering out now... a scramble in the Nix box amounts to nothing...
david
Guest
has the match resume after the injury?
kelvin g
Guest
wellington is going to win, if it stays like this, sorry to all the newcastle jets diehard fans! its not your day, those who bet on the home team, sorry too
wisey_9
Roar Guru
Mel McLaughlin has confirmed that it looks like it is a fractured cheekbone...
wisey_9
Roar Guru
64′ Jets 0 – 1 Nix Birighitti has copped a stray knee from Brockie... no malice in it, but it looks bad for the Jets keeper. The stretcher is coming on...
kelvin g
Guest
heskey can also be sub, no bite, no kick, no form, pls ...wellington can start to apply more pressure to take the game 0-2 to take home 3 points!!!
kelvin g
Guest
jets cannot win today! draw will be the only hope, dreadful! not nice