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.
Ryan Selvage
Roar Guru
Bravo to you Jimmy, called the 3-1 scoreline and made special mention of the 3 scorers!
hog
Guest
Okay I'm getting excited.!!!
James Anderson
Roar Guru
They were no where near their best tonight, but Wellington Phoenix still walk away with the three points after an impressive 3 goals in 15 minutes late in the second half. Heartbreaking for the Jets, who led for most of the match, but eventually caved to Wellington's attacking superiority. Another fantastic display from Nathan Burns, who should have caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou, and just at the right time, as we near the announcement of the Socceroo's squad for the Asian Cup. Bonevacia with two assists, and Riera with another fantastic display in midfield. Thanks for tuning in, see you next time. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets Full Time
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Great cross whipped in from the right by Neville, and Jeronimo climbed the highest, but his header was no where near the goal. And thats the match! Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 90+3’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Wellington closing out the match, keeping hol of the ball but still with the intent to attack. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 90+2’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Jeronimo has also been peripheral. I lost track of him for 15 minutes there. Newcastle suffer from a lack of unity in the final third, which they've shown snippits of today, but nothing for long periods of time. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 90’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Crowd attendance over 9000. Anyone have the exact figure? Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 89’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Gallagher hasn't dealt with Burns this half. He's simply been a class above. Krishna receives the ball on the right wing, then cuts inside, but couldn't find the right pass as Newcastle defenders' closed in. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 88’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Cooper registers a shot on goal, but it was too direct to beat Moss. Good lead up work from Kantarovski. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 86’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Griffiths will be rueing his missed opportunites in the first half. Newcastle on the attack, but cannot find an opening. Burns, on the other hand, can't stop finding openings in the Jets defence. He looks dangerous every time he gets the ball. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 84’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Mitch Cooper replaces Edson Montano for the Jets. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 82’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
David Carney fires a vicious shot from just outside the area, and although it was always rising, it only just skimmed the wrong side of the crossbar. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 80’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Roy Krishna GOAL!! Fantastic strike from outside the area, which beat Kennedy at his near post. And guess who played him the ball - Bonevacia. This game has exploded to life for Wellington, and keeps getting worse for Newcastle, who ten minutes ago were confident of another win. Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Newcastle Jets 79’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
You've got to feel for Newcaslte. They've done everything right tonight, though haven't been able to create as many goal scoring chances this half as they had in the first. Gallagher takes out Burns on the edge of the area, and McGlinchey stands over the ball in dangerous position. Freekick Wellington. Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Newcastle Jets 78’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Newcastle concede two in the space of as many minutes. Phil Stubbins furious on the sidelines as his side look destined for another winless round of A-League. Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Newcastle Jets 76’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Bonevacia beat his man, then played through a brilliant ball for Burns, who made a good run between Madaschi and Jaliens. He then went around Kennedy and tucked the ball away to level the scores. Bonevacia is on fire!! Beats his man on the right wing and fires ashot, which rickotches off the post to McGlinchey, to put Wellington in the lead!! GOAL WELLINGTON!! Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Newcastle Jets 74’
John
Guest
It's spelled "eluding", no "alluding". That's an entirely different meaning.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Burns nets his 7th of the season with a breathtaking assist from Bonevacia. GOAL WELLINGTON! Newcastle Jets 1-1 Wellington Phoenix 74’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Rodriguez out to Burns, who drives the ball toward goal, hitting the legs of Gallagher and earning Wellington a corner. Rodriguez then makes way for Lia. Newcastle Jets 1-0 Wellington Phoenix 72’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Hoole makes way for Jeronimo Newman, whose first touch was heavy, and in scrambling to get the ball back, he took out Riera right in front of the referee. Could've been a yellow card, was very late Newcastle Jets 1-0 Wellington Phoenix 70’