Young gun’s wondergoal puts the seal on emphatic Western win

Check out the highlights from Western United's clash with Newcastle Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League

A stunning goal from Noah Botic capped off a brilliant display from Western United who moved up to third on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after beating Newcastle Jets 3-1.

Western started brightly and took the lead after just 17-minutes when Japanese attacker Riku Danzaki slotted home from inside the box after good work from Angus Thurgate.

John Aloisi’s side doubled their lead in the 37th minute when a pinpoint cross from Ben Garuccio found Botic inside the box and the 23-year-old duly headed the ball beyond Jets keeper Ryan Scott.

The home side then hammered home their dominance shortly after time and bagged their third in style; Botic rifled a goal-of-the-season contender past Scott from 30 metres out as Western all but secured the three points.

The Jets pulled one back four minutes later as Lachie Rose capitalised on some confusion in the Western box to stab the ball beyond keeper Matthew Sutton but it would prove to be a mere consolation.

The win for Western – their seventh of the season – moved them up into third on the table and level on points with ladder-leaders Melbourne City.

As for Newcastle, defeat leaves Rob Stanton’s side sat 11th on the ladder following their eighth defeat of the campaign.

Applying the early pressure, Western United fashioned the first chance of the game as in-form winger Abel Walatee forced a smart save from Jets keeper Ryan Scott.

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The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute though as Angus Thurgate’s cut-back inside the box ricocheted into the air and into the path of Danzaki who duly drilled his shot beyond Scott.

“Ibusuki, he could hold up an aeroplane, he’s so good in those areas!” Said former A-Leagues defender Erik Paartalu on co-commentary, marvelling at the Western striker’s hold-up play as the Japanese forward continued to cause problems for the Jets defence.

Finding space inside the box, Ibusuki then forced a good save out of Scott as he tipped the ball round the post but the home side continued to up the ante and they soon found a second.

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Played in down the left, captain Garuccio whipped an inch-perfect cross into the box and onto the head of Botic, who’s header flashed past the keeper to make it 2-0.

In a rare foray forward the Jets got themselves into a good position but Daniel Wilmering’s cross into the box didn’t find it’s target and the move fizzled out; Western would then go on to add a third.

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Collecting the ball in the middle of the Jets’ half, Botic was given time and space to charge towards the box and having picked his target, the young striker then unleashed an unstoppable rocket from close to 30 metres out which flew beyond the keeper and into the top corner.

Now throwing caution to the wind, the Jets pulled one back in the 58th minute as Rose capitalised on some hesitation inside the box to toe the ball beyond Matthew Sutton and give the away side a glimmer of hope.

On a hat-trick, Western forward Botic was then taken off with what looked like a groin concern shortly after scoring but the 23-year-old subsequently confirmed after the game it was more of a precautionary move and likely to be cramp.

Western had further chances to extend their lead but Aloisi’s side ultiamtely cruised home to an impressive win to move them level on points with top spot in the league.