Jets, Wanderers play out a draw

Newcastle have managed to turn around a rather disappointing first half to come out in the second half and not only steal a draw, but almost take all three points.

After the Wanderers opened the scoring through Newcastle hero Mark Bridge, Wanderers took charge of the game, and dictated terms.

Newcastle were slow at best, out of the contest at worst, but at only 1-nil down, Ernie Merrick had something to work with with his half time talk.

Wanderers once again started the stronger in the second, with Jumpei looking dangerous at every instance.

A huge turning point occurred though, when the Wanderers lost their starting midfield pairing of Herd and Bachus, as Aspropotamitis and Sotorio just didn’t offer the same steel in the middle.

Petratos stepped up and took charge, while Joey Champness came on for Brown, and lit up the park.

The connection of Champness, O’Donovan and Petratos will give Ernie Merrick food for thought, as the Jets equalised, and suddenly pressed for the win. Nabbout was also again sublime on the left, offering options on the other side of the park.

But the first home win for the season for Newcastle (and, indeed, this calendar year) was not to be. A 1-all draw possibly the fair result, though Wanderers will feel they’ve let a win slip.

The Jets will ask why they were so slow for the majority of the game, but otherwise, both teams head into round 5 one of the last four teams yet to lose.

Hardly a classic, but a great contest nonetheless, these teams should figure at the pointy end of the season.