With John Hutchinson’s comments sure to fire up the Jets fans, expect fireworks at Hunter Stadium between two sides desperate to find their groove this season. And what better way than by taking the points from their rivals from up – or down – the F3.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Hunter Stadium, Gosford
Kick-Off: 5pm (Local), (5pm AEDST)
Squads
Newcastle Jets 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 4.Kew JALIENS (c), 6.Adrian MADASCHI, 6.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7.Jeronimo NEUMANN, 8.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Marcos FLORES, 11.Andrew HOOLE, 13.Edson MONTANO, 14.Billy CELESKI, 16.Jacob PEPPER. 18.Allan WELSH, 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 23.David CARNEY, 26.Nick COWBURN
**two to be omitted**
Ins 2.Scott NEVILLE (returns from injury), 6.Ben KANTAROVSKI (promoted)
Outs Nil
Unavailable 15.Josh BARRESI (knee – season), 22.Jonny STEELE (leave of absence)
Central Coast Mariners 1.Matt NASH (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5.Zac ANDERSON, 7.John HUTCHINSON (c), 9.Mitchell DUKE, 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 12.Liam REDDY (gk), 15.Matt SIM, 17.Richard VERNES, 18.Glen TRIFIRO, 19.Matt SIMON, 21.Michael NEILL, 23.Isaka CERNAK, 25.Eddy BOSNAR, 26.KIM Seung-yong
**two to be omitted**
Ins 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (promoted), 19.Matt SIMON (promoted), 26.KIM Seung-yong (promoted)
Outs 8.Nick Montgomery (suspended)
Unavailable 6.Brent GRIFFITHS (injured – indefinite)
Hashtag: #F3Derby
TV Broadcast – Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio – 1233 ABC Newcastle, 92.5 ABC Central Coast, Grandstand Online/ ABC Radio Mobile phone app. Coast FM
Referee Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: George Lakrindis
Fourth Official: Adam Gehrig
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Two under-pressure sides go head-to-head in one of the more important F3 derbies in some time. Newcastle restored some of their battered credibility in drawing with the Wanderers last weekend but will now want to prove it wasn’t a one-off by performing in front of their home fans. The Mariners have had their own problems to contend with, without a win since the opening weekend of the season and forced to dispel any talk of unrest in the squad after skipper John Hutchinson stormed up the tunnel after being substituted last Sunday. So both sides will view this as a chance start with a clean slate.
Jets coach Phil Stubbins gets right-back Scott Neville from injury while Ben Kantarovski has also been added to the squad. Neville has been one of the first picked in his position but youngster Nick Cowburn’s stunning debut last weekend will make it a tough decision for the Jets boss on the right side of defence.
While the Mariners lose Nick Montgomery through suspension, Matt Simon is back from injury while Jacob Poscoliero and Kim Seung-yong are also back in the squad.
OPTA DATA STATS
-Newcastle last went seven Hyundai A-League games without a win between December 2013 and February 2014. They have never gone eight games in a row without a win in a single Hyundai A-League season.
-The only other time Central Coast won just one of their opening seven Hyundai A-League games came in the 2006/07 campaign.
-The Mariners have scored in just one of their last four Hyundai A-League matches and have netted just four times in total this season.
-Neither side has scored more than two goals in each of the last 12 meetings between the sides at Newcastle.
ROUTE TO GOAL
In just his second start of the season, ex-Mariner Marcos Flores showed his importance to Newcastle with a classy showing and goal last weekend. His combination with former Socceroo David Carney was a highlight and one Stubbins will hope will only get better the more time they get together. The Mariners’ have struggled for goals, especially in first halves. A lot of that has to do with not getting enough support up to lone striker Mitchell Duke. If they can get more bodies in the box, they might just get some joy.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
John Hutchinson. With these comments expect a raucous reception at Hunter Stadium. ‘‘Overall, we’re a better club. We’ve always been a better club than them and we want to prove it again.’’
And Marcos Flores. Up against his former club, the Argentine will be keen to continue the form he displayed against the Wanderers last time out. With none of the Mariners’ No.10s really performing so far this season, Flores can show them exactly what they are missing out on if he performs on Sunday. Desperate for a victory, the Jets could certainly use something magical from the midfielder.
