Marquee striker Marc Janko handed Sydney FC a 1-0 victory over Newcastle, but the Sky Blues looked less than convincing against their lowly rivals at Hunter Stadium.
Janko bagged his 13th goal of the season on Friday to sit two ahead of Wellington’s Nathan Burns in the race for the golden boot, showing just why Sydney forked out $1.4 million for his services this season.
Having netted nine goals in the last six matches, the Austrian skipper also equalled the league record set by Besart Berisha for scoring in most consecutive games.
Sydney now temporarily climb to second spot, just one point behind leaders Perth, and remain undefeated on the road this season.
The Jets meanwhile stay in ninth spot still searching for their second win of the season.
Sydney entered the match in red-hot form having scored 19 goals in their last six games and were tipped to run riot against the battling Jets, but it didn’t all go their way.
The Jets had the better of the first half, putting the Sky Blues under pressure.
Newcastle had the first real chance of the match in the 17th minute when Andrew Hoole set up Ecuadorian striker Edson Montano who sent his shot just wide.
The Sky Blues looked like breaking the deadlock in the 29th minute when a Sebastian Ryall header hit the cross-bar, the rebound falling to striker Janko, but his effort flashed wide.
The Jets continued to press with Mitch Cooper firing a long-range effort in the 33rd minute.
But the hosts copped a blow just before the break with defender Taylor Regan taken off with a knee injury after colliding with Rhyan Grant – he was replaced by Sam Gallagher.
Sydney emerged from the break desperate to get on the scoresheet with both Janko and Terry Antonis firing in quick succession early in the second half.
Janko forced a save from keeper Ben Kennedy with defender Gallagher blocking an Antonis strike a moment later.
Antonis put Kennedy to work again with a powerful attempt in the 59th minute as momentum began to swing the Sky Blues’ way.
But the Jets didn’t let them stay comfortable for long.
Both Daniel Mullen and and Scott Neville threatened while Andrew Hoole leapt onto a Enver Alivodic ball to force a save from Vedran Janjetovic.
But the Sky Blues’ attack would prove too strong in the 68th minute with Janko netting the winner.
Robert Stambolziev, who was making his Sydney debut off the bench, dispossessed Ki-je Lee to set up Janko whose first shot was blocked, but he made no mistake with the rebound, netting his ninth goal in the last six games.
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Guest
Janko, is really stepping up and improving to be a good marquee, but I am so pleased we have Smeltz sitting on the bench. I feel for the guy, because when he comes on he looks every bit as good as Janko is---so dangerous in and around the box. It's a real pity he has to start from the bench. Unfortunately, we can't start Janko and Smeltz together, but I'm so pleased we have two very fine finishers at the club. Hats off to G Arnold to have brought this squad together, he is proving to be one of the best A-League coaches this season on game day, and preparing the starting XI week in and week out.
newy
Guest
i noticed joel scored as he so often does ,i seen the gold shirts on before game started ,then i was glad they played in the knights colours .i thought it was great idea when tinkler took over bring league and football together ,i was a bit said cause i had signed grandfinal gold jersey hanging proud !! The knights got rid of him and now his only ambition is to bring the jets to the knees !! a new owner will bring the fans back as newcastle fans are the best.I remember the 2008 grandfinal thinking the we were outnumbered by central coast fans but when we scored first and years of frustration emerged ,that this could finally be our day ,the look on my son face was priceless pure passion he was only 12 the cheering never stopped long into the night on the train home, i realised most of the crowd was from Newcastle is just that we are use to disappointment ,Hopefully one day we will get an owner with money and passion who understands that we want to win and play great football!!
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I might as well have a go at the linesman/referee, as is traditional. I only saw the first half on tv, but the linesman on the closer side of the field had a shocker -- assuming the ref was listening to him. He missed offsides, he missed balls going out over the goal line, and he gave throw-ins to the wrong teams, and also seemed to be in the right spot just after he should have been there. Not a bad effort in 45 minutes. Luckily, none of them had an impact on the game, but I hope the linesmens' performances are reviewed, whatever the outcome of a match.
Fadida
Guest
After the game Jets coach Phil Stubbins said "The lads worked their socks off. Boys turned into men out there. We showed passion, fought for every ball, competed in contests all over the field. We defended from front to back, were first to second balls. It was like te Battle of Britain out there. We fought for every inch of ground, sweating blood for the cause. The young boys were young, and boys. We have a blend of youth and experience and despite 1 win in 20, yes TWENTY game we have our processes in place and are moving forward. That's now 5 games in a row we have been hard to beat. Even though we have lost 4 of those 5 we are moving forward". When asked by reporters if he was concerned you failed to score in the last 2 home games, and whether one win in twenty made his position a farce, Stubbins responded with, "I'm the gaffa, the guvna'. Results and goals aren't important because we have put processes in place and are moving forward. And I wear a suit with the same lucky brown shoes. Every week" "lucky shoes Phil?" "yeah, they've kept me in a job I'm clearly incompetent at. Thanks lads, no more questions. I'm off to Brisbane to talk to the Stinkler. One of the players is not doing as asked. We might sack him. "