Gold Coast has come from behind to defeat Newcastle 2-1 in the National Youth League in searing 30-degree heat in Southport on Thursday.
After conceding an early goal, Gold Coast rallied with strikes from captain Steven Lustica either side of the break helping to secure the points.
The win sees Mike Mulvey’s men consolidate third sport on the table with 31 points.
United is now just two points behind second-placed Perth (33) and three behind the top-placed Mariners (34 points).
The visitors took the lead early when Jason Hoffman found the net in just the fifth minute.
After Koh Satake lost the ball for United just on the halfway line, a Jets long ball found the running Hoffman who showed great composure to slot low to goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson’s left.
Gold Coast found an equaliser on 20 minutes when Steven Fitzsimmons’ pass fell perfectly for Lustica and the skipper showed no hesitation hitting the ball first-time from outside the area and the shot dipped viciously leaving Newcastle goalkeeper Dion Shaw with no hope of making a save.
The next chance of the match fell to United seven minutes later when Ben Harrison crossed in the from the left, the ball sailed toward the back post where striker Chris Harold rose well but headed his chance over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
With action moving freely, Jets midfielder Jesse Pinto took advantage of Zac Anderson’s mistimed clearance and unleashed a powerful drive from outside the area.
The ball looked destined for the top left-hand corner but curled at the last minute smashing into crossbar and bouncing away.
Satake then flashed wide in the 39th minute, his effort was shortly followed by Joshua Brillante who, after cutting back in the area and finding some room, let himself down when he failed to test the keeper with a poor shot on his weaker left foot.
Hyundai A-league regular Fitzsimmons had the final chance of the half for Gold Coast, when his left-foot shot skimmed just over the bar after he found himself inside the Jets’ area with plenty of room.
Returning from the break it was Fitzsimmons again who immediately tested the Jets goal, a sweeping right-foot free-kick from 25 yards sheering just past the upright.
Gold Coast then took the lead when Lustica bagged his second in the 62nd minute.
The midfielder was on hand to knock home after Harold nodded on for Ben Halloran at the edge of the area; Halloran’s deflected shot was parried by Shaw into the path of the Lustica who made no mistake from close range.
Newcastle’s second-half intent was subdued until the 76th minute when Jason Naidovski’s header from a free kick was saved by an outstretched Tyson.
With temperatures reaching over 30 degrees, the afternoon match took its toll on the players and the game petered out with neither side really threatening goal before the final whistle blew.
Gold Coast 2 (Lustica 20, 62)
Newcastle 1 (Hoffman 5)
@ Owen Park, Southport
