[VIDEO] Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets highlights: A-League scores, blog

MATCH RESULT:

Perth continue their dominance over Newcastle at home, 14 consecutive games without a win in Perth for the Jets.

Jets probably had the better of the 2nd half, at least until the 82nd minute when Jaliens was sent off which effectively ended any hope for the Jets.

To be honest a fairly poor 2nd half of football, both teams passed poorly especially up forward and not giving their forwards many chances. Glory losing the cohesion they showed in the first half. Marinkovic was one of the chief culprits in the second half with 3-4 poor passes, but made up for it with a lovely strike.

The Jets woes up forward continued, movement either too slow or just simply poor passing and control when it counted. Carney missing the best opportunity up forward. Jets winless record now stretches to 10 games, one game short of their all time record.

Glory’s best football was in the first 35 minutes and then seemed content to sit back, maybe with an eye to their midweek FFA Cup final.

Thanks for joining us tonight and remember to come back for tomorrow’s round of matches.

FINAL SCORE:
Perth 2
Newcastle 0

MATCH PREVIEW:

League leaders Perth Glory will be looking to extend their six game unbeaten streak when they take on the winless Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:45pm (AEDT).

Perth will be full of confidence after their exhilarating come-from-behind 2-1 victory last week against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.

The Jets will be hoping that the Glory have their minds elsewhere, with next week’s inaugural FFA Cup Final against Adelaide coming up, although based on selection Perth don’t seem to intend to rest many players.

One player the Jets hope will be rested is Perth’s human highlight reel Nebojsa Marinkovic, who has scored some spectacular goals and leads the league in chances created.

Last week Sydney FC did an excellent job keeping the Serbian quiet. But the dead ball specialist once again showed his ability to turn a game with a beautifully taken free kick in the 83rd minute, that found an unmarked Rostyn Griffiths heading the equaliser from six yards out.

The Jets face a daunting task in Perth where they have won only once in 14 games and are winless in their last 13 visits.

Even though they are winless in the league this season they have shown in recent weeks some signs of turning it around, with three draws out of their last four games. Their problem this season has been finishing off games.

Five times this season the Jets have giving up leads and it’s usually been later in games. They have conceded ten goals this season in the last 20 minutes of the game, compared with conceding nine goals in the first 70 minutes. This included their loss to Perth last time they met in early November, when a 74th minute strike by Jeronimo Neumann was wiped out within five minutes by a Jamie McLaren double.

Last week the Jets had a 1-0 lead up until the 73rd minute, when Wellington Phoenix scored a remarkable three goals in five minutes.

Maybe the lack of pre-season from several Jets’ players such as Adrian Madaschi, Caravella, Celeski and Ben Kantarovski has taken its toll at times. But to say that’s their main problem would be an easy out for coach Phil Stubbins and his team.

Stubbins has made some strange selections this season, regularly playing his centre backs as full backs such as Sam Gallagher and Kew Jaliens, and sometimes leaving Marcos Flores and Neumann on the bench.

Opposition teams have taken advantage, with many teams trying to exploit the Jets’ full backs. Last week Ernie Merrick used Nathan Burns to great effect playing him wider and higher up the park to use his pace against Sam Gallagher.

The Jets are also tactically lacking with not perceivable style. They don’t possess the ball well, nor counter attack or press particularly well. Striker Edson Montano has shown at times to be excellent with the ball at his feet but simply does not receive the support he requires due to the slow movement and tempo.

Prediction
Look for Glory coach Kenny Lowe to follow other teams’ example and use his players’ pace to trouble the Jets’ wobbly defence.

Perth may well be distracted with the upcoming midweek cup final, but at home they are a formidable team at the best of times, let alone during one of the club’s best runs of form.

It’s hard to see the Jets improving on the poor form out west. Perth to win 2-0.