Perth Glory will be looking to build on their mid-week FFA Cup success when the Newcastle Jets arrive in town desperate for a win. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
It’s been hard going for the Jets so far this season. Bundled out of the Cup at the first opportunity by Perth, dropping a much-deserved point against the Mariners in injury-time in Round 1 and then dropping another two when David Villa popped in a late equaliser in Round 2.
In Round 3 it appeared as though Newcastle’s travel schedule – they have yet to play a game at home this season – got the best of them. They were smashed on the counter by Wellington, shipping four goals, and have picked up just one point from three matches.
It won’t get any easier in Western Australia. The Jets have a bad record at nib Stadium and haven’t beaten the Glory in their past nine meetings.
Kenny Lowe’s side is finding some form and has some real potency up front in Andy Keogh. Perth were brushed aside by Adelaide United 2-0 last weekend, their first loss of the campaign, but they look a team reborn compared with last season.
Youssouf Hersi is still finding his feet but the former Wanderer, along with Mitch Nichols and Richard Garcia, offer a lot in the attacking third. Dino Djulbic adds some steel at the back, while Nebojsa Marinkovic can both create and score goals. Important wins against Wellington and Brisbane in the first two rounds have been earned.
Tightening Newcastle’s defence, as well as putting chances away, is Phil Stubbins’ aim. The Jets dominated possession against the Phoenix but were ripped apart by lighting fast counter attacks. The likes of Hersi and Jamie Maclaren will be looking to do the same on Saturday.
Adrian Madaschi and Billy Celeski are still unavailable for Newcastle but Ben Kantarovski could feature in midfield.
Marcos Flores has yet to really show what he can do and Stubbins really needs his front-men – Edson Montano, Jeronimo Neumman and Joel Griffiths – to start banging them in.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Jets the following weekend if though they are at home, as they host Melbourne Victory, so this game looms as a crucial one.
Join The Roar for all the action from NIB Stadium from 7.30pm (AEDT).
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Thanks for everyone who tuned in. Perth now with three wins from 4 games. Jets win just one draw from 4. Will be desperate for a win against Victory at home.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Perth 2 Newcastle 1 A deserved win for Perth. Jets were poor and although they scored first, that woke Perth up and Maclaren scored two goals in about three minutes. Jets yet to win a game and have Victory next weekend. Not looking good for Newcastle. Perth continue their good start to the season.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'93 Offside from Carney, that will be about it. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'92 Welsh tries to do much and loses possession. Hersi breaks and Perth have it. Then Newcastle get a free kick. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'92 Glory go short and waste their corner. Jets try to build from the back. And then the turn the ball over easily. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'90 Good strike from Keogh but Birghitti pushes it away for a corner. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'88 Hoole has a shot blocked. Jets pushing for an equaliser, Perth for a third. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'86 Allan Welsh bends a shot over just over the crossbar. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'85 Jets so slow and cuatious when they break. Perth more assured and positive. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'84 Caravella on way, way too late for mine. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'83 Poor pass from the Jets. Perth odds on for a third goal in a minute. Caravella on for Kantarovski. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'82 Perth almost in agan. Gallagher clears near his line after Birighitti was beaten. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'80 Two goals in about three minutes for Jamie Maclaren after coming on. That's not bad. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'78 MACLAREN WITH A DOUBLE! Off a Perth corner, the ball is headed back in and Maclaren rises in to head it home. Perth have the lead. Perth 2 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'77 Game has come alive now. Virgili on for Neumann. Perth 1 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'76 MACLAREN SCORES! Heris plays it in, Newcastle fails to clear and Maclaren is there to put it in. Perth 1 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'76 Third and final change for Perth, Maclaren on for De Silva Perth 0 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'74 GOAL JERONIMO! Ball over the top to Jeronimo and he puts it in past Vukovic. Heart-breaker for Perth. Perth 0 Newcastle 1
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'73 Richard Garcia is on for Mitch Nichols. And Joel Griffiths is off, Edson Montano is on. Perth 0 Newcastle 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'72 Game opening up a bit now. More chances both ends. Expecting a goal before the end. Perth 0 Newcastle 0