The Glory’s unbeaten run at home may have stretched to seven games, but an elusive spot inside the top six remains at arm’s length.
Of all the games we’ve played up until this point of the season, this is the one I’m most disappointed not to have won, because it was in our hands throughout most of the match.
The possession and shot count would have you believe the Jets slightly edged the contest at Macedonia Park; the shots on target and big chances say otherwise.
Newcastle mustered one big chance with 58% possession, managing four shots on target from 16. The Glory managed seven on target and had five big chances. Missing three of them kept Newcastle in the contest and it proved costly in the end.
The return home from Wellington saw some fresh faces in Ruben Zadkovich’s starting eleven: Antonee Burke-Gilroy made his first start of the season coming in for Johnny Koutroumbis and Luke Bodnar returned to the midfield as Zach Duncan dropped to the bench.
Following some slow starts in the last couple of games, we came right out of the blocks and nearly caught the Jets off guard in the opening minute. Keegan Jelacic wriggled his way into a decent shooting position but could only find the side netting just 30 seconds in.
The young midfielder extended his contract with the club until 2025 this week, a move which will no doubt delight the Glory faithful. He has been sensational throughout the course of the first 15 games, nailing down a spot in the starting eleven and providing a much-needed spark in the attacking third.
He put in a man of the match performance against the Jets, involved in most of the good chances we created in the first half. Ryan Williams teed him up after making a great run on the wing and cutting the ball back to the penalty spot; Jelacic met it with pace but could only direct it straight at Jack Duncan.
From the resulting corner he won the penalty, flicking the ball beyond former Glory player Daniel Stynes, who left a trailing leg. The spot kick from David Williams was saved brilliantly by Duncan, getting down quickly to his right and tipping the ball just beyond the post.
Not to be denied a goal contribution, a late first half corner was directed to the back post. Duncan tried to palm it away but couldn’t manage to get a glove on it and was helpless as Luke Bodnar nodded it back across and into the corner for his first A-League goal.
Going into half time with the lead was well deserved, but it should have been more and it most likely would have put the game to bed. Scoring has been easier to come by this season than last, but in order to be in the finals places we need to be more ruthless in front of goal.
From a defensive standpoint, the back three stood tall and dealt with everything thrown their way. Darryl Lachman should have been on the scoresheet once again after an incredible run from his own half but failed to hit the target from close range to round off the move.
One man who didn’t miss his chance to grab a goal when the chance came was Mark Beevers. Following a free kick where he won the header, the ball was launched back into the mixer by Trent Ostler. Staying up field, Beevers timed his run and leap to perfection, getting to the ball before Duncan and heading it into an open net to give us back the lead.
Despite controlling possession for most of the game, the Jets struggled to create many meaningful opportunities, and required a moment of magic to get the first equaliser. A quick one-two opened the door for Reno Piscopo to have a pop from distance, curling it beautifully outside the box and into the far corner.
The second equaliser in the 88th minute didn’t require the same magic from Piscopo. A long ball aimed at Trent Buhagiar was met by Jacob Dowse, who attempted to head it back to his goalkeeper. The header fell short and hesitation from Cook meant Buhagiar got to the ball first, poking it into the centre for Archie Goodwin to nod home.
Perhaps the best missed chance of them all came in added time, when a lucky break saw Adam Taggart clean through on goal. Lacking a bit of match fitness, he couldn’t manage to escape the desperate defenders running back. They closed down his space and he could only manage a tame effort which Duncan had no trouble dealing with.
Arthur Papas’ side remain one point behind us in eighth and slightly behind in goal difference after a draw which he will probably be content with. Piscopo was undoubtedly the Jets star performer, always getting on the ball and drawing fouls from the Glory midfield. Duncan in net had a mixed bag with a couple of good saves including the penalty but he’ll feel like he could have done better with both the Glory goals. Beka Mikeltadze may not have scored or had many chances but I thought he had a good game as well.
Dropping points at home from a winning position is not ideal, especially with tough fixtures on the horizon. A win would have put us into the top six and given us real confidence as we get ready to face the top two teams in the comp. The biggest test looms large as Melbourne City look to become the first side to knock off the Glory at home.
Comfortably ahead of the rest, they’ll look to go even further ahead on their path to another Premiers Plate. The 4-0 loss earlier in the season was rough but we did beat them 2-0 at home last May. Wildcats coach John Rillie called upon Ted Lasso and his philosophy of “Believe”: Ruben Zadkovich will be doing the same as his side get ready to potentially shock the league and upset the champions.
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