[VIDEO] Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners highlights: A-League scores, blog

MATCH RESULT:

After a dull first half, the game came to life in the second. Both teams attacked in the first ten minutes and got the rewards with a goal each.

Both teams then had chances to win the game but a draw is a fair result. Neither team was truly dominant.

Montano was the best player for the Jets and he provided a genuine threat to the Mariners.

The Mariners had a few good players. Fitzgerald, Vernes, and Poscoliero all impressed, they just couldn’t capitalise on their chances.

The Mariners move to 6th with the draw with the Jets in 9th.

Both teams are still in the hunt for a finals spot but will need to start winning soon to stay alive.

The Jets are now winless in 8 matches this year.

The Mariners are now winless in 7 matches.

The pressure remains at both clubs to break the drought.

FINAL SCORE:
Jets 1
Mariners 1

MATCH PREVIEW:

The Newcastle Jets will be looking to break a two year hoodoo when they face the Central Coast Mariners in the F3 Derby at Hunter Stadium today. Join The Roar for a live scores and coverage from 5:00pm (AEDT).

Since October 20, 2012, when Newcastle won 2-1 against Central Coast, the Jets have been winless against the Mariners.

In that time they have lost four matches, and drawn twice.

They are currently on a three game losing streak, which includes the loss to the Mariners in Round 1 this season.

A win this afternoon is vital for the Jets.

After seven rounds this season, Newcastle are winless, with only three draws in the league so far.

This included the 1-1 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend, which was a good performance for the Jets.

Marcos Flores, in particular, returned to some of the form that made him the best player in the A-League in 2011.

It also eased the pressure off of Phil Stubbins who faced scrutiny after the 4-0 loss to Brisbane in Round 6.

Another loss today, against their rivals, could bring the pressure back on Stubbins and the team.

If results don’t go there way, they could be at the bottom of the ladder at the end of the round.

While the pressure is on Newcastle for a win today, the Mariners are also in need of a victory as well.

They are also on a winless run and haven’t tasted victory since they defeated there rivals in Round 1.

Since that match they have drawn just two matches out of their last six, so the pressure is certainly also on the Mariners to perform this afternoon.

A loss to their rivals could also put their coach, Phil Moss, in the line of scrutiny.

It will be a match of high intensity as both teams chase the vital victory they need. It also has the added pressure of being a derby.

Despite the Mariners recent record against the Jets, they have a poor record at Hunter Stadium.

In 15 matches at Hunter Stadium the Mariners have won just 4 times at the venue. Their last win in Newcastle was in 2012. This will provide the Jets with some confidence of breaking the hoodoo.

Heading into the match, both teams will look to make changes. The Mariners are forced into one change with Nick Montgomery suspended after getting a red card in the last match against Adelaide.

Jacob Poscoliero, Matt Simon and Seung-yong Kim have been included in the squad. If Simon plays, he could be a big addition to the Mariners line-up.

In his last match, against Adelaide in the FFA Cup, Simon scored a goal before going off injured. He is a prolific goal scorer in this league and would be a welcome boost to the team.

Newcastle haven’t made any changes yet for the match but have included Scott Neville and Ben Kantarovski in the squad.

With plenty on the line for both teams in this match, it could be a fiery and entertaining F3 Derby.