Despite a herculean performance from Brisbane Roar FC keeper Jamie Young, Newcastle Jets found a way to win on Saturday.
The Jets’ entertaining 1-0 win at a hot and humid Suncorp was emblematic of their unfolding year.
In 2018, Ernie Merrick’s men have lost only one of eight league games (W4 D3 L1) as they maintain pressure on Sydney FC who remain way ahead at the league’s summit.
Substitute Joey Champness with fresh legs made the difference as he found a way past the excellent Jamie Young in the Roar goal with the final 10 minutes approaching.
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Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the Jets scored in the 79th minute.
Brisbane have conceded nine goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, accounting for 28% of their goals against column overall.
Champness told Fox Sports after the game he was hopeful of being the game changer as the humidity began to take a toll on the highly experienced Roar starting XI.
“That was the goal. To come on and take my opportunity when it came and hopefully influence the game as best as I could,” he said.
His display and that of the attacking triumvirate Riley McGree, Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout make this Jets side so appealing to watch.
The Roar win sets up an absolute blockbuster next week when the Jets host league-leaders Sydney FC in a one-versus-two showdown.
OTHER MATCH FACTS
- Newcastle Jets have won three consecutive Hyundai A-League matches against Brisbane Roar FC; all via single goal margins. It is their best run of form in this fixture since also winning three in a row in 2013/14.
- Roar have taken just two points from a possible 30 in league games where they have conceded the opening goal in this term (W0 D2 L8).
- Roar have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 matches since a scoreless draw with Wellington Phoenix in Round 10.
