The Newcastle Jets have taken momentary ownership of top spot on the National Youth League table after recording a 3-2 victory over the Brisbane Roar at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.
A double to sometime Hyundai A-League front man Jason Naidovski as well as a goal to new recruit Scott Balderson was enough to see the Jets home against a Roar side that was perhaps unlucky not to leave Newcastle with at least a point.
The match as a whole was an attacking affair with both sides looking sharp going forward.
Indeed, just 20 seconds after kick off the opening chance was crafted, with William Angel forcing a fine save from Roar keeper Matthew Acton.
Just edging the balance of play, the Jets did manage to take the lead on 20 minutes, when Naidovski headed home a fantastic in-swinging cross from Damian Brosque.
Just five minutes later Craig Deans’ men doubled their lead through Balderson, the former Australian under-20 International rising highest to head home a Brosque corner.
Roar worked their way back into the game, hitting the woodwork before the half-time interval and testing Jets keeper Robbie Kolak from range.
And whilst it took until 10 minutes into the second half, Brisbane did manage to get itself right back into the match when Stefan Vrbesic netted with a shot that wrong footed the otherwise impressive Kolak from outside the box.
Unfortunately for the Roar, the comeback didn’t last long with Naidovski scoring his second on 67 minutes.
The powerfully built forward was allowed too much time inside the Roar penalty area, turned onto his left foot, before picking his spot and curling a shot inside Acton’s right post.
Rado Vidosic’s charges finished the stronger of the two sides and bar Jordan Farina’s free-kick rebounding off the post, and Tim Smits skewing a shot wide, would have claimed a point.
In the end it was Smits who managed a headed consolation for the visitors on 84 minutes, however it proved too little too late for Brisbane.
Newcastle Jets 3 (Naidovski 20, 63, Balderson 24)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Vrbesic 55, Smits 84)
@ EnergyAustralia Stadium
