Alex Wilkinson scored a rare winner as Sydney FC came from behind to beat Newcastle Jets 2-1 in Saturday afternoon’s A-League clash.
Sky Blues veteran Wilkinson nodded in an 80th minute header from Luke Brattan’s corner that bounced over Jets’ gloveman Jack Duncan, the 36-year-old central defender’s first A-League goal since August 5, 2010.
It crowned a strong turnaround from Steve Corica’s side who fell behind after Andrew Redmayne handed Newcastle youngster Luka Prso his first A-League goal on a silver platter after a miscued pass out from the back.
Sydney’s momentum was relentless following another error from the Socceroos number one and they equalised when second half substitutes Patrick Wood and Milos Ninkovic combined for the Serbian to curl in a classy equaliser after the rookie striker had pounced on a Newcastle turnover.
Sydney move third on the A-League ladder as a result, but could be booted back out of the top six by Monday should Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers all post wins over the next two days.
Key moments
Sydney dominated the opening exchanges with Kosta Barbarouses nearly catching Duncan off his line from miles out, before the Kiwi forward played Luke Ivanovic in behind. After edging out Johnny Koutroumbis the young striker tore down on goal but miscued his finish.
The pressure kept coming from Corica’s men as an Ivanovic shot whistled wide, while Duncan made an excellent diving save at the feet of Barbarouses after neat interplay in the box saw the New Zealand international dance through on goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6239903624001
But the Sky Blues fell behind against the run of play when Redmayne’s misplaced pass out from the back fell to the feet of Prso. The Jets youngster kept his composure and slotted in his first A-League goal.
Sydney came out firing in the second half and Koutroumbis came to Duncan’s rescue after the Jets goalkeeper attempted a clearance that took a deflection and was nearly poked home by Barbarouses only for a flying challenge from the young Newcastle defender.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6239903635001
Pressure continued to build on the Newcastle goal, and it eventually paid dividends when Ninkovic came off the bench and fired home a classy equaliser when a turnover from Connor O’Toole was pounced upon by Wood.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6239901568001
The lively Wood stung Duncan’s palms after a neat turn on the edge of the box and Ninkovic continued to threaten before Sydney sealed the game with Wilkinson’s downward header.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6239904327001
