KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from Western Sydney’s 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Wednesday, April 20.
THE WEDNESDAY AGENDA
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 3-2 NEWCASTLE JETS
MATCH REPORT: WANDERERS SURVIVE JETS SCARE TO EDGE FIVE-GOAL THRILLER
THE REACTION
‘It’s crippled their campaign’: The 22 minutes exposing fatal Jets flaw
The Jets travelled to CommBank Stadium on Wednesday night in desperate need of three points to reinvigorate their tilt for a spot in the top six.
So often the Jets have shown glimpses of what made Paramount+ commentator Ben Homer exclaim: “There’s no better team in the competition, maybe bar Melbourne City to watch” after their 6-1 win over Perth Glory just 10 days ago.
Arthur Papas’ side followed on from that performance with a home loss to Victory, and when the chips were down against the out-of-form Wanderers, fell short of expectation once again on Wednesday night.
The Jets conceded three goals in the opening 22 minutes to give themselves a mountain to climb; by full-time, the Jets almost reached the summit – but they came away from CommBank Stadium with zero points, and their finals dreams in tatters.
WATCH: Wanderers dismantle Jets with three goals in first 22 minutes
It will take a herculean effort – and a lot of luck – for the Jets to sneak into the top six from here, with four games left on their schedule, seven points adrift of sixth and sitting in ninth spot on the A-League Men’s table.
With less than half an hour on the clock at CommBank Stadium, and the Jets trailing Western Sydney 3-0, the Paramount+ commentary team summed up Newcastle’s plight best.
“This really has been the story of the Jets season so far,” said commentator Robbie Thomson. “This inability to string together a series of good results, it has crippled their campaign.
“They really have flattered to deceive on so many occasions.”
Co-commentator Georgia Yeoman-Dale added to Thomson’s thoughts as a visibly agitated Jets head coach Arthur Papas appeared on screen: “You can see the frustration from Papas there, they are one of those sides that when they are on fire they can beat anyone.
“They’ve got the creative players in there, they’ve got the workhorses like (Angus) Thurgate through the midfield, but they’re just really struggling against this very energetic Western Sydney Wanderers side.”
‘Gutted is an understatement’: Hoffman hopes F3 Derby can refuel Jets
Newcastle veteran Jason Hoffman is refusing to accept his side’s tilt for a spot in the finals is over, with it still a mathematical possibility for the Jets to “fight tooth and nail” to reach the top six by the season’s end.
A team in need of a morale lift after two disappointing defeats on the trot – one at home to Melbourne Victory and one on the road against the Wanderers on Wednesday night – the Jets have four games left to turn it around on a run bookended by two games against rivals Central Coast.
“Gutted is an understatement, to be honest,” Hoffman told Paramount+ after the 3-2 loss to Western Sydney.
“We knew how important it was, not only tonight but the next five games, we spoke about it before (the game), and to start the game the way we did was beyond disappointing.
“Really, that’s the story of the game… it was all about three points which we didn’t get tonight.
“There’s still things to play for, we have a massive derby next game so we need to restore some pride in the club, and build on some of the positive things (we showed) in the second half.
“We’ll fight tooth and nail as long as it’s mathematically possible. But I guess right now the disappointment is that we knew three points tonight was absolutely critical, and we didn’t get it.”
RE-LIVE: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 3-2 NEWCASTLE JETS, AS IT HAPPENED
The Jets came home with genuine momentum, but a torrid start to the first half from the away side is the difference at full-time as the Wanderers emerge with a 3-2 win at CommBank Stadium.
75′: GOAL! Silvera sets up grandstand finish (3-2)
Samuel Silvera has emerged off Newcastle’s bench to score his side’s second of the night, as the Jets surge back into the contest with two quick-fire goals.
68′: GOAL! Hoffman pegs one back (3-1)
Jason Hoffman gives the Jets life at CommBank Stadium after Daniel Margush flapped at a high ball dropping inside his own box, allowing the Newcastle veteran to swoop in and tuck the ball into an unguarded net.
The Wanderers were adamant Hoffman had fouled Margush on his way up to collect the ball, but the VAR saw no reason to overturn the on-field decision.
62′: OFFSIDE! Rodwell scores again – but VAR intervenes (3-0)
It appeared Rodwell had put the final nail in Newcastle’s coffin with his second of the night, driving a low strike off the leg of Duncan into the bottom-right corner of goal, only for VAR to rule out the Wanderers’ fourth with Keanu Baccus straying offside as a cross from the right flank made its way into his path in the box.
60′: CHANCE! Lopane shoots, Duncan saves (3-0)
Lopane was inches away from his maiden A-League Men’s goal, dragging the ball back to create space in the box before striking toward the top-right corner, only for Duncan to tip the ball away for a corner.
46′: SECOND HALF (3-0)
Lucas Mauragis replaces Brandon Wilson at the break as the Jets look for a lift, trailing the Wanderers by three goals to nil as the second half begins.
HALF-TIME: WANDERERS 3-0 JETS
Rodwell put the ball in Newcastle’s net again just before the half-time whistle, only for an offside call to deny the Wanderers a fourth goal at CommBank Stadium.
Instead, the hosts take a three-goal lead into the break, with Newcastle’s finals hopes fading by the minute.
“It’s awesome to finally see what we can do when we’re all switched on,” Najjarine told Paramount+ on his way into the sheds.
22′: GOAL! Wanderers tearing Jets apart (3-0)
It’s another for the Wanderers as Najjarine gets in on the act, and the Wanderers carve out a three-goal lead at CommBank Stadium.
“Newcastle’s finals dreams are being dashed in a storm of goals here,” said Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thomson as Najjarine wheeled away in celebration, after lofting his close-range effort over Duncan.
“They’re living in a nightmare at the moment,” added co-commentator Georgia Yeoman-Dale.
18′: GOAL! Rodwell doubles the lead (2-0)
The Jets are all at sea at CommBank Stadium!
Jack Rodwell gets the home side’s second goal, rising above Angus Thurgate and Jordan Elsey to head Troisi’s perfectly placed corner past Duncan at the near post.
13′: SAVE! Duncan stands tall (1-0)
Somehow the Wanderers fail to double their advantage as Ramy Najjarine directs his close-range strike directly into the path of Duncan stood helpless on Newcastle’s goal line.
It was Traore once again causing the danger down the left flank, getting toward the byline before picking out Najjarine with a low cross. Najjarine looked certain to score if he directed his shot either side of Duncan.
6′: GOAL! Ugarkovic helps Troisi strike into the back of the net (1-0)
What a start by the home side!
Adama Traore’s run into the box and deflected shot fell to the feet of James Troisi, who drove his shot on goal – only to see his effort flick off Steven Ugarkovic on its way past Duncan to give the Wanderers the lead.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We are underway at CommBank Stadium.
Alessandro Lopane gets the hosts on the front foot early with an early strike, easily claimed by Jack Duncan.
TEAM NEWS
LISTEN BELOW: Former A-Leagues marquee player Emile Heskey is our very special guest on this week’s episode of My Football Passport, with James Dodd.
