Newcastle Jets’ Jason Hoffman pointed to a slow start which he said cruelled his side’s chances in their 2-1 loss to Melbourne City on Thursday night.
In the opening match of Round 6’s Remembrance Round, the Jets soon found themselves on the back foot, two goals down inside half an hour at AAMI Park.
It appeared a long night ahead for the visitors against a rampant City, but Mark Jones’ men fought their way back into the contest.
And it could’ve easily been 2-2 with Hoffman spurning a chance late on to level the game.
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“That was the story of the game, we had some chances right from the start, first half especially,” a downbeat Hoffman told Fox Sports.
“[But] we killed ourselves. We got off to a slow start and obviously coming back from two goals down against a quality Melbourne City side is always going to be tough.
“But we had our chances. We should’ve gone one nil up. But it wasn’t to be.”
The Jets’ task wasn’t made any easier by losing defensive bulwark Nigel Boogaard to injury later in the game after all three subs had been made.
The visitors battle on with ten men but weren’t able to find that elusive equaliser though Hoffman went close.
But for Hoffman, a former City player, he was left to rue the opening 27 minutes, which he said effectively cruelled their chances of ending a two-game losing streak.
“The slow start, it’s only our fault.
“If you give Melbourne City a two nil advantage it’s always going to be tough.”
The Jets next play at home on November 20 in the F3 Derby.
