Jets launch thrilling comeback to share the points in dramatic F3 Derby

Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets - Shark Highlights | Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 | Round 17

Goals from Lachie Rose and Mark Natta secured a hard-earned point for Newcastle Jets as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with two-time reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions Central Coast Mariners in the F3 Derby.

Newcastle had the better of the first-half chances on Saturday night but it was the Mariners who broke the deadlock approaching half-time; winger Christian Theoharous flashing a low ball across the face of goal which was turned home by defender Nathan Paull.

The Mariners bagged their second goal just five minutes after half-time as Abdul Faisal sent a fizzing effort towards goal which was fumbled by Jets keeper Ryan Scott, with the ball ultimately crossing the line to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

Fresh off the bench, forward Rose capitalised on some hesitation inside the Mariners box to stab home for the visitors in the 59th minute, just five minutes after coming on.

Central Coast had plenty of chances to wrap up the three points and even hit the post twice before Jets defender Natta struck in the 87th minute; leaping highest at a corner to head home the equaliser.

The draw leaves the Mariners sat in ninth on the ladder and now four points outside the top six after a result which head coach Mark Jackson will no doubt feel saw them drop two points.

Meanwhile the draw for Newcastle sees them bring an end to their run of six straight defeats to the Mariners in the F3 Derby.

The Jets looked the more likely to open the scoring in the first half and went close to doing so in the 17th minute, however Daniel Wilmering skewed a left-footed shot wide of the far post after good work from Clayton Taylor.

Mariners keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen then thwarted the away side in the 29th minute, swatting a fierce effort from Thomas Aquilina into the side netting as the Jets continued to threaten.

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However, while Rob Stanton’s Jets were enjoying more of the ball their deficiencies in both boxes would soon be exposed.

Receiving the ball from a short corner in the 39th minute, Theoharous drifted towards the box and, having quickly calculated how to beat his man, he duly did so; turning on the afterburners to skip past Eli Adams before drilling a low ball across the face of goal which was turned home by Paull.

Leading at the break, the Mariners then doubled their advantage soon after half-time and it was a moment Jets keeper Scott would rather forget.

Released down the left, recent signing Faisal carried the ball towards the Jets area before lashing a left-footed effort towards the goal which squirmed through the hands of Scott and bounced over the line before the retreating Natta could clear.

Throwing caution to the wind, Newcastle boss Stanton threw on Japanese winger Kota Mizunuma and striker Rose to the action and the pair had the desired impact.

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Capitalising on some hesitation inside the Mariners box following a corner, Rose was in the right place at the right time to stab the ball beyond Peraic-Cullen to make it 2-1.

Now with their tails up, Kota came close to bagging the equaliser soon after however his powerful shot was brilliantly blocked by a last-ditch sliding challenge from Brian Kaltak.

In what was his last action before being substituted, the impressive Faisal raced clear down the left once again and this time bent a sumptuous effort across the diving Scott but unfortunately for the youngster clipped the post and went wide.

Substitute Vitor Feijao then stung the palms of Scott in the 74th minute as the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions pushed for the goal that would give them some breathing space.

Rose then produced a smart save from Peraic-Cullen in the 80th minute, heading Taylor’s whipped delivery back across goal before the big shot-stopper then thwarted Lachie Bayliss a minute later.

The Mariners could have finished things off in the 86th minute when Alou Kuol sent Mikael Doka through on goal however the Brazilian’s low effort crashed back off the far post and it would come back to haunt the home side.

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Breaking up the other end, Newcastle eventually won themselves a corner and it was a pinpoint delivery from Japanese winger Kota that picked out the leaping Natta, who nodded the ball down and into the back of the net to send the travelling Jets fans into a frenzy.

Now desperately searching for a late winner, the Mariners threw everything they had in an attempt to find a goal and defender Paull saw a deflected effort sail narrowly over the bar.

The Mariners’ run of wins in the F3 Derby comes to an end in a result which leaves the defending Champions ninth on the ladder and four points outside the top six.

Meanwhile the Jets remain 11th on the ladder with 12 points to their name after 14 games this season.