One last attack and 11 seconds was all that stood between the Glory and the end of a 14 month wait for an away victory.
Not to be. For the second time in eight games, points were dropped in the dying moments and both times it has been the Jets who have spoiled the party.
It was coming from a mile away. As soon as the fourth official raised his board to indicate at least seven more minutes of time, it was clear to see the players were nervous and went into their shells.
Ex-Glory midfielder Callum Timmins was unlucky not to have found the equaliser earlier in stoppage time, hitting the post after Clayton Taylor had dribbled past three Glory players in the middle of the park.
It was Taylor again who combined out wide with Dane Ingham a few moments later. Both slithering through narrow gaps, it took solid body contact from David Williams to halt the attack and calm the situation.
Then the inevitable. A long pass from the goalkeeper was headed away by Mark Beevers. The ball found its way to Phillip Cancar, who lofted a pass over the head of Johnny Koutroumbis to Lucas Mauragis.
The left back controlled the ball well and squared it across goal to the waiting Trent Buhagiar for the simplest of tap ins and one of the easiest last-minute equalisers you’ll ever see.
The most frustrating aspect of the entire sequence of events in the final 30 seconds was the simplicity in which Newcastle were able to find their goal and the predictability of the play.
With little time on the clock and with our setup behind the ball, a cross or any type of aerial pass into the box was to be expected.
Koutroumbis just needed to be more aware of where Mauragis was positioned. If he anticipated the pass better or stuck tighter to his opponent, he would have been able to deal with the threat.
It’s another example of lapses in concentration resulting in conceding. Beevers was the man responsible for Newcastle’s penalty in the first half, tripping up Thomas Aquilina who took a heavy touch but reached the ball first.
The result leaves Alen Stajcic and the team at the bottom of the table after eight rounds. Had they managed to hold on in both games against the Jets, they’d currently be in eighth and just two points away from the top six.
If the game had been judged on the stats alone, the consensus would have been we were fortunate to have come away with a point. The panning out of the second half and the ending drew attention away from a lacklustre first half showing.
Not a single shot on target and only one in total, an ambitious and wayward attempt from Koutroumbis in the 37th minute. The Jets dominated in all areas and would have been two to the good had it not been for Koutroumbis’ incredible back heel clearance off the line.
The change in ends switched the tempo and momentum completely. The introduction of Mustafa Amini and I imagine a stern team talk from Stajcic produced an instant result.
Luke Ivanovic outmuscled his opponent and drove with the ball out wide. Adam Taggart halted his run and waited for the cutback. Ivanovic duly provided it for his strike partner, who hit it first time into the roof of the net.
Goals were an issue I discussed last week, and once again it was the two men I discussed who provided them. Stef Colakovski intercepted a poor pass from Taylor, managed to get it under control and strike a powerful effort through the hands of Ryan Scott.
The two goals were the only shots on target. A clinical display, but I still need convincing on the goal front. This was the third time this season both men have found the scoresheet in the same game, and they’re still the only two to have scored from open play. The other three goals all resulted or came directly from set pieces.
Glory girls remain on top despite draw
The A-Leagues Women produced its first scoreless game of the season on Sunday night, although the matchup between Perth and Sydney was anything but dull.
Back at home in front of 1500 at Macedonia Park, the Glory found it difficult to break down the Sky Blues and assert control of the contest.
Sydney had a significant upper hand in the total shots and attempts on target, but couldn’t find a way past Morgan Aquino, who had another brilliant match in between the sticks.
A more closely contested and end-to-end second half produced a couple of half chances for Alex Epakis’ side, but nothing which troubled the Sydney back four or Jada Whyman in goal.
They still remain at the top of the table on goal difference, returning to the summit after Melbourne City drew with the Mariners in the first game of the round on Friday.
The wrap-up
Contrasting fortunes for the Glory sides as the new year draws closer, sitting at complete opposite ends of the table. The women head to Victoria to take on Western United on Friday afternoon, while the men return home to HBF Park for a clash with the Bulls. Macarthur have been in fine form, only tasting defeat for the first time on Monday against the Phoenix.
With a fit Ulises Davila and experienced striker Valere Germain leading the line, they will not miss the opportunity to punish us if we continue to make small errors. On the flip side, they’ve conceded three goals on three occasions this season and could be at the mercy of Taggart, who has scored in his last three games.
Home form looks set to be the key to make up places on the ladder. A little confidence goes a long way, and with all that’s happened at the club this year, a win on Saturday in our last home match of 2023 would do wonders for the playing group and the fanbase.
About the Author
