A second-half double from Marco Rojas has helped Melbourne Victory to a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.
Having gone to the break goalless two strikes in as many minutes from the New Zealand international busted the game open in the second stanza, with the Jets unable to fashion a way back.
The home side created plenty of chances before going ahead with Besart Berisha guilty of missing an open goal when he deflected the ball wide from a couple of yards out.
Newcastle came close to pegging a goal back from a free-kick late on but Victory substitute James Donachie was able to clear the ball off the line.
The result means Victory climb to second on the table, level on points with City and Roar, while the Jets’ winless run extends to six matches.
GOALS
1-0 Melbourne Victory: Marco Rojas, 52’
Rojas bent a free-kick into the Jets wall which took a heavy deflection, giving keeper Jack Duncan no chance as it ballooned into the back of the net.
2-0 Melbourne Victory: Marco Rojas, 54’
The Jets turned over possession cheaply in their own half allowing Rojas to scoot away down field, the 25-year-old showed great poise before firing into the bottom corner.
OPTA DATA
- The Victory registered an equal season high of 20 shots of goal – a mark the Jets set in last week’s F3 Derby.
- Ben Kantarovski equalled Tarek Elrich’s appearance record for Newcastle when he was deployed in the second half for his 134th match in Jets colours.
INJURY WARD
Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas was ruled out of the clash due to a thumb injury before kick-off, with Matthew Acton making his debut having only signed with the club during the week.
Winger Mitch Austin was withdrawn in the first-half after picking up a leg injury, replaced by Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
CROWD
18,267 @AAMI PARK
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