Goals to Andrew Hoole and Andrew Nabbout helped Newcastle Jets to their sixth win in as many pre-season games against Western Sydney Wanderers in Cessnock on Saturday.
Wanderers created one of their only opportunities in the match after three minutes but a confident Jack Duncan sprung high to block the shot for Newcastle.
Hoole proved extremely valuable for the Jets throughout the game, creating some impressive chances and opening the scoring with a strike from range to give the Jets a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Nabbout extended the advantage for the Jets in the 41st minute in a quality display of skill, creating a 1v1 with Wanderers keeper Jerrad Tyson before sliding the ball beyond the Western Sydney custodian and into the back of the net.
An incident inside the box from a Jets corner in the second half saw Jason Hoffman receive a straight red card in the 81st minute, leaving the Jets with ten men for the final ten minutes of the contest.
Western Sydney attempted to take advantage of their extra player but Jack Duncan kept his goal intact, ensuring the Jets won 2-0.
GOALS
1-0 – Andrew Hoole opened scoring for the Jets with an impressive shot from outside the area in the 22nd minute.
2-0 – Andrew Nabbout got himself in prime position, creating a 1v1 with Tyson in the 41st minute before smoothly sliding the ball past the Wanderers ‘keeper to extend the Jets’ lead.
Newly appointed Jets coach Mark Jones was on hand to witness his side’s victory and was impressed with the overall performance.
“We want to play against full strength [Hyundai] A-League teams and see how we fair,” Jones said.
“I couldn’t tell you my best 11 at the moment – I haven’t been here for long enough. Everyone out there was competitive and we just want to look at people in different positions and see how they fair so we can come up with the best 11 for Round 1.”
