An 88th-minute equaliser from Archie Goodwin has denied the Perth Glory from finishing the round in the top six.
Playing at an incredibly picturesque venue, Glory got off to a very hot start within the first 30 seconds as Keegan Jelacic dragged the ball past his man inside the box, only for his shot to just flash past the other side of the near post.
However, from that opportunity, Newcastle had a sizeable period in possession, as the Glory couldn’t keep hold of the ball.
Glory missed a golden opportunity 11 minutes after Jelacic’s opportunity when Darryl Lachman burst through the lines and found himself one on one against the keeper, only to place his shot just wide of the far post.
Newcastle continued to dominate the ball, but they just couldn’t find that opening that they desperately craved.
Glory then earned themselves a penalty just before the half hour mark. Keegan Jelacic skipped past his man and was tripped inside the box.
Unfortunately, David Williams’ penalty was saved by Jack Duncan.
This however did not stop the home side’s persistence and Glory continued to put the pressure on the Jets.
Eventually, just before halftime, they found the breakthrough when Luke Bodnar’s header made its way into the back of the net following Jelacic’s corner.
Glory then missed a golden opportunity through Mustafa Amini not long after, as some desperate defending from the Jets saw both of Amini’s efforts blocked.
Newcastle started the second half well and they had a few opportunities before Reno Piscopo curled in a wonderful effort from outside the box to level the game up.
The Jets players certainly had no issues with giving it to the crowd, though it made the spectacle more entertaining as there was some clear spice between both sides.
Glory then regained the lead again after Mark Beevers’ looping header found its way into the back of the net, as he gambled on Trent Ostler’s lofted delivery and it paid off, putting the hosts ahead in the 80th minute.
The lead didn’t last for all that long however as a mistake at the back saw Archie Goodwin head home from close range to give the away side a much-needed equaliser.
Adam Taggart had a wonderful opportunity in the sixth minute of added time, as his one-on-one opportunity was saved by Jack Duncan at the near post.
In the end, the spoils were shared and from a Perth Glory perspective, that was a missed opportunity.
Macarthur dropped points big time away to the Glory’s next opponent, Melbourne City while Sydney FC claimed an important win at home against the Mariners, so a win would’ve been massive in the scheme of things.
Unfortunately, a few things let the Glory down tonight.
For me, we allowed Newcastle to get back into the game. After our hot start, we should’ve been more aggressive and looked to have played on the front foot.
Instead, we gave away sloppy balls and conceded territory, allowing the Jets to control the tempo.
We had the better of the xG (2.58), created five big chances and unfortunately, we missed three of them. The Jets on the other hand created just one and they converted it.
That was our big problem, taking our chances. We had to be more ruthless in front of goal.
On another day Lachman’s chance, Williams’ penalty and Taggart’s late opportunity would’ve been goals.
Instead, we’re in the position of rueing missed opportunities. But in saying that, a draw is never a bad result and it has been remarkable to see how this team has grown over this season.
You could see at full time that the players were spent. I cannot fault their effort. They had given everything.
Next week will be a massive test against Melbourne City. They are the form team of the competition and they will be by no means a walk in the park.
All eyes on Saturday for what will be a very eagerly awaited contest.
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