The derby day drizzle didn’t put off the 6424 attendees to what proved to be an entertaining contest.
The first half belonged to the Newcastle Jets, the only surprise being that they failed to convert their possession and opportunities into a goal.
Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze had the best chance to convert after a slick piece of interplay between himself, Savvas Siatravanis and Olivier Boumal.
But it was the Brazilian import, Daniel Penha, that proved to be the pick of Newy foreign contingent.
His range of movement and passing was an absolute joy to behold. The love affair between the boy from Brasilia and the Novocastrian faithful has been firmly established.
The early stages of the second half belonged to the travelling Central Coast Mariners.
A sloppy pass from Newcastle captain Matt Jurman was quickly lost by Kosta Grozos. Marco Urena pounced and perfectly passed into the path of the on-running Josh Nisbet.
His shot beat Jack Duncan and gave him his first A-League goal. From my own position in the eastern grandstand, it did look as though the Newcastle gloveman should have done better.
As with last week’s goalkeeping errors from Duncan, this is certainly food for thought for Newcastle coach Arthur Papas.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
With the Jets looking rattled and on the back foot, the Coasties piled on the pressure. There was a 57th-minute corner and Mariners debutant Jacob Farrell bravely headed home.
Newcastle’s defending, though, was questionable. Dane Ingham failed to move and jump to contest the corner ball. Surely to contest the ball on a corner is basic defending.
The 63rd minute brought about the necessary Newcastle substitutions: Jordan O’Doherty for Grozos, Sammy Silvera for Boumal and Valentino Yuel for Siatravanis.
This trifecta of players changed the flow of the game. In fact, it was Yuel who headed home from a peach of a cross from the Port Macquarie Pele himself, Angus Thurgate.
One of only three retained players from last seasons squad to start this game, Thurgate is already proving to be integral to the make-up of this Newcastle team.
Yuel’s 78th-minute goal plus his constant attacking raids must mean he is now in consideration for a starting berth.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Two minutes later Mikeltadze hit the post from Silvera’s cross. O’Doherty’s follow-up shot was just wide of the Coasties’ goal. Again the Newcastle substitutes proved their worth.
The action didn’t stop there, though, with an 80th-minute melee of sorts in the Coasties’ box. Yuel was again involved and rightly put his foot into the goal-mouth scramble. Although it was more push and shove than all out war, it just added to the theatre of this particular F3 derby.
In the first minute of injury time, the Mariners almost had a third. The Coasties’ own Brazilian import, substitute Moresche, watched his deflected shot loop over Duncan only to hit the bar.
Nick Montgomery secured the three points for the Mariners and certainly proved they will not be the easy beats that some may have suspected.
Oliver Bozanic is integral to the Central Coast. His organisation, tackling (including his two fouls), pressing and passing from the centre of midfield are very much an essential part of the Mariners.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
If you look back, he even initiated the goal-mouth melee. Did that in itself give the players under pressure – the Mariners – a much needed breather? Bozanic is a top player and has a fair amount of smart gamesmanship to go with it.
Newcastle’s up-tempo style of football and never-say-die attitude will endear itself to the Novocastrian fans, if it hasn’t already.
But wins are a must to broaden the fan-base. A loss against our nearest, and certainly not dearest, rivals is always hard to take.
It’s no disaster though. With the likes of Spanish import Mario Arques, Dylan Murnane and Lucas Mauragis all to return to the squad, depth is certainly no longer a problem for the Newcastle Jets.
With a little more game-day team cohesion and just maybe a little luck, everyone in the Hunter Valley can expect this team to get themselves a win sooner rather than later.
Next assignment, the Western Sydney Wanderers away. Bring it on!
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Not far for you to get to the ground then Gabe F. I'm at Speers Point.
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
What part of Newy are you from Simon? We’re at New Lambton.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I honestly believe Papas can develop the whole lot of them, and as Griffo said, he's not a one season Gaffer. I have genuine hope that this team can be an A-League wrecking ball and upset the status quo.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
It is annoying when people just see a result or maybe some brief highlights on the local news and quickly dismiss the Jets. "Oh they lost. They're crap!" It's one of the reasons I write these articles. A little more insight and opinion can only be good for the game. It's going to be very interesting to see how this Newcastle team develops. Not only just as a team but as individual players. Val Yuel maybe seen as a one dimensional player at the moment, can Papas really develop him? I agree Silvera has been impressive, he needs more of the ball and more game time too. This weeks game v WSW will be interesting as their team too has a fair number of new faces.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
not to mention that "The Walking Controversy" was on the whistle. I dont have any time for Kurt Ams, and believe his not good enough for A-League level. Week after week, it's just dodgey decisions with him.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Griffo, Mariners are a team not to be taken lightly. Their recruitement seems to be of substantial quality. As for our lads, yes, the defence needs some work, but I have no doubt that Papas will address that in a rather rigourous mannner. I liked what I saw of Boumal, Pena, Siatravanis and Mikeltadze. If those four really start to combine, watch out. And yes, youn Farrell will be one to keep an eye on.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Good Article Simon, I was disgusted when a family member said to me, "the Jets were appalling, what an embarrassment, they should either come last, or just give it up". You have seen my comments previously, and you know I try to take a strategic, big picture view wherever possible. in this instance, it's the big picture that tells the story. If you look at the Coasties team, 99% of that team played together last year. On the other hand the Jets have basically rebuilt the entire squad, but a few bodies! What pleased me the most is that they had the conscious awareness to get themselves into the game. I am a Jets Supporter and hand on heart, without bias, I have to ask the question 'were the Coasties that good, or was it Jets lack of cohesion and game time that permitted Coasties to play the way they did? For me, you are on the money with Pena, Val Yuel was on a mission when he came on, and the other lad that impressed me was Sam Silvera, he should get a look in at a starting spot. Siatravanis, looked dangerous at times, and Mikeltadze has got what it takes, he just needs to make some technical adjustments to his targeting. This Jets team has played one game, this show ain't over yet. I have said it before and I have said it again, it takes time for a team to develop cohesion, unity and work on the same wavelength as their gaffer. There are good things to come and if the baggers and doubters think that is not the situation, then they dont know football..
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
The next two rounds will really test us out. WSW and Sydney away. The Wanderers have a pretty good roster on paper and Sydney have been the most consistent team over the last 4 or 5 seasons. I’m liking Arthur Papas style and this certainly squad certainly has a good vibe to it. Excited to see more.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Great that you pointed out both Jurman and Ingham's mistakes that led to the goals. Neither of these due to a high line or a poor midfield but some poor turnovers in our defensive third, one of which led to a goal. Jurman aiming for a Socceroo recall will need to improve positioning and distribution. And with Elsey a central defensive partnership that will need to be tight. Duncan looked to get a finger tip to Nisbet's shot and those can go either way unless the keeper showed too much of the opposing post - I hadn't seen a 'behind the goals' view yet. A couple of good games will get Duncan's confidence up. But really the defence needs to improve fast and expect that to be a focus in video analysis this week. Ingham unfortunately ball watched at the wrong time giving Farrell plenty of time to come from behind and get some decent melon on the ball uncontested. There is a lot to like about what appears to be our preferred attack. When they collectively put their foot down the quick, technical interplay will put a heap of pressure on our opponents defence. It will need to improve the conversion rate of goals otherwise we will chase games once too often (as we have the past couple of seasons) if the defence isn't solidified. I think we will be mid-table at worse. Once the goals flow I think we'll do alright. If not I don't think there will be a knee-jerk reaction to pull it all apart and start again next season. Papas is a manager with a multi-season mission. I think we will have a good base for next season. On to the Wanderer-Jets this Sunday :stoked: Good write up.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I don't think everyone should be writing both teams off like they have. There is some concern for our defence but hopefully that can be resolved so we finish higher than you :silly: Much like Brisbane and Adelaide, you guys are bringing through some local talent which is excellent to see.
Tekkers
Roar Rookie
i Wouldn't say Urena looks less fit, he is definetly more fit than last season considering he made the whole 90 which he couldn't do last year. But some of his touches were horrendous and passes. He just lacked quality rather than being fit. that quality should come back though i wouldn't expect him to lose his ability with the ball over a four month pre-season.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
will be tough for the jets, they had a huge turn over of players in the off season and are playing a new style and formation - it could've been jose mourinho or pep guardiola as coach and they would still struggle this year. duncan, jurman and elsey on there day can be phenomenal, but the problem is those days arent consistent enough. the conditions weren't the best to showcase 'paps ball', next match against the wanderers will be very interesting for both coaches
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Lucas Mauragis has just recently got out of quarantine after representing the Young Socceroos. Should be back in contention for the squad soon. Archie Goodwin I believe has a slight injury and is on a Jets scholarship, so we may well see him soon too.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think Newcastle are going to be a failure , what happened to the promising full back they had last season Marquilis or something, what about the young striker where is he Archie Gooodwin. They dont have enough pressure on the ball the center backs are high without the others pressing. Elsey looked awful and clumsy , Jurman looked out of touch and slow, both looked vulnerable and there a lack of help for them and players tracking back. Doherty was a workhorse that sparked their end to last season, but he is on the bench, A lot of foreign players in the side, while Pena looks good with the ball he is lazy off it. CCM Urena looks even less fit than last season, but he still had a good time against Elsey and Jurman. Nisbet covers huge amount of territory and main source of attacking runs, the new guy on the left gets up and down the rest not that great.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
I was unhappy to see Roy leave. It’s water under the bridge now and I think Newcastle have enough quality in the front third to put away plenty of goals. Roy has signed with Sydney Olympic in the Npl. Great guy as well, very funny and was mostly loved here in the Hunter.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Jacob Farrell has a very good debut. Your Coasties youth development is working. Bozanic is crucial to your team too. Will be hard to replace when he finally hangs up the boots.
Waz
Roar Rookie
You can always judge quality. Not to say it can’t be improved (hence my alarm bell comment).
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
It was a derby, it had 33 Fouls (22 in the first half), it was first game of the season, it was in torrential rain. Bit hard to judge the game because of one of these things let alone all of 'em.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Of the 12 sides on display these two looked to be the lowest in quality so, but also allowing for a disrupted preseason, the alarm bells should be ringing with an improvement in performance needed from next weekend.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
jets will be fine, it will take them time to get going - this first year is a free hit for paps, (if hes there next year) thats the time to judge him. the main thing is trying to play an attractive brand of football