Two depleted sides will face off at AAMI Park tonight as Melbourne Victory seek to maintain the six-point gap between themselves and Newcastle Jets. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.00pm AEDT.
Both sides are fielding somewhat weaker squad,s with news that Victory captain Marco Flores will miss the game due to injury, although striker Archie Thompson returns after an extended absence.
For Newcastle, top scorers Emile Heskey and Ryan Griffiths will both not be on the field, with Griffiths having requested and received an immediate release from the club this week to play for Chinese club Beijing Baxy.
Heskey and fellow Englishman Michael Bridges will be rested.
Melbourne Victory sits on 36 points and in fourth place, six points clear of Newcastle. Should the Jets manage an away victory, they’ll halve the gap on the table and distance themselves from the cluster of teams battling for the fifth and sixth spot.
Last time these two teams matched up, over 20,000 fans came to AAMI Park to see the Victory hold off a Jets comeback to win 3-2, with a brace to Marco Rojas. Rojas proved to be the difference in a game that was an even match-up in terms of chances created.
Victory’s form in the last few weeks has been anything but positive – they’ve had three straight losses, capped last week with a 6-2 trouncing by the Central Coast Mariners.
Melbourne’s defence has not been strong all season, and a report in the Herald Sun this week pointed out that no team has ever had such a poor defensive record (38 goals conceded in 22 games) and gone on to win the A-League.
Over the last seven weeks Newcastle have had four draws and has struggled to score, however they managed to win 2-1 over Wellington on Wednesday night (the game was brought forward from round 26 due to New Zealand’s 2014 World Cup qualifying schedule).
Tonight’s match will be the second of a stretch of three games in only ten days, and we can expect their fitness to be tested.
Keep an eye on Jets forward Adam Taggart, who scored his first goal for Newcastle on Wednesday night and will shoulder the load up front with Heskey, Bridges and Griffiths all out of the game.
Victory fans should look to old faithful Archie Thompson and the A-League’s fourth highest scorer Marco Rojas to feature in a game that the Victory should win.
madmaco
Guest
Just back from the game and being a victory supporter of course delighted with the result. But would have to agree with your comment about VE taking some (all?)of the blame with his selection. I think the 3 points earned in Wellington certainly had an influence on his decision. He would also have felt vindicated with other results this weekend going his way. We will wait and see if he has made the right decision in the long run. Though his goal difference has taken a battering wth the Jets now worse off than Sydney.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Check out the highlights if you didn't catch the game, Rojas' second goal was delightful. Also, chime in with your thoughts about the Mullen no-goal. Newcastle can have no complaints about the red card, Regan's two challenges in the box were poor and both deserving of a caution. Van Egmond must be questioned for fielding such a young side without the kind of threat up front to challenge Coe, although it's tough to blame him for Griffiths' departure. Melbourne now look dangerous and perhaps have played themselves into finals form, while Newcastle are in danger of dropping down the table if they play too many more games like this one. Thanks for joining us for the Roar's live commentary of this match, and God bless!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory The match comes to a close and the Victory have shown their class. In a matchup of youthful enthusiasm versus skill and experience, the expected result occurred and Melbourne had the match under obvious control after only eight minutes. Marco Rojas was a clear man of the match, with two solo goals and an assist off a corner. Newcastle are against Perth on Friday night, with Heskey and Bridges expected to return. The Victory will face Brisbane next Saturday.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' + 3' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Rojas slices a ball across the box for a sprinting Nabbout but it's just out of his reach. That's likely the last chance of the game.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' + 2' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Three minutes of stoppage time before the merciful whistle for the Jets. Stella tries to force his way through the Newcastle defence but the ball just rolls out of his reach for a goal-kick.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Melbourne not pushing their luck here, they're very content to sit on the ball and wait for Newcastle to come to them. The game is winding down after a very interesting middle period.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
88' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Newcastle almost get a consolation there as the ball is slipped past Coe, but Taggart is unable to poke the ball in. Melbourne get a counter after the following corner but the Jets are there to clear it away.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
84' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Traore's up and ready again. Rojas is still making lots of runs off the ball, he's keen to get his hattrick in this game, while Newcastle's struggles in the final third continue. Goodwin is taken off for Ribeiro - a rare appearance.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
82' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Attendance is 17,778 at AAMI Park, which has never seen Melbourne score four (or more) goals. Traore is down with an injury - they don't have any more substitutions if it's serious.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Adam Taggart is still running hard in this game, but he's the lone striker now for the undermanned side and is finding it difficult to get much possession. Ten minutes to go now.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
78' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Connor Pain is withdrawn for Andrew Nabbout. Pain's been looking really dangerous in this half, he'd be unhappy to be withdrawn now. That's all the changes done for Melbourne.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Substition for Newcastle, Brillante comes off for Chapman. Brillante had some good touches in the first half, but hasn't shown much in the second. Pepper has a volley for Newcastle, it's on target but blocked by a defender.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
74' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Shot from Goodwin is Newcastle's first chance in some time, it's blocked for a corner. Not much enthusiasm being shown from the Jets.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
71' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Shot from Traore at the neat post saved by Birighitti. The Jets defence just came apart in front of him, and he took the invitation to shoot.
CmonJETS
Guest
I am spare with GVE. He does not seem to give a toss about us fans.....youth policy..please. Without cool heads of experience...this is what you get. Fair bit of damage done today.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
70' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Cooper is taken off for the Jets, Pepper comes on and runs straight into defence where the Victory are about to have yet another corner. Milligan's drive across the box is desperately cleared.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory Really splendid goal from Rojas, he did it all himself there, showing quick feet while the defenders stood with open mouths. Can Newcastle stem the tide?
Roarsome
Guest
Wonderful football! Come on MV, catch the Top 2. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
66' Newcastle Jets 0 – 5 Melbourne Victory GOAL! Rojas turns his defender, slides past Birighitti and walks the ball into the net - masterful!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
64' Newcastle Jets 0 – 4 Melbourne Victory Milligan picks out Rojas, who cuts in and sets up Pain for another shot, which is deflected for a corner. The Victory with a few opportunities in a row now, while Newcastle can't move the ball into the Victory half.