Newcastle Jets coach Phil Stubbins concedes missed opportunities ultimately cost his side in Saturday’s heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners in a competitive F3 derby at Gosford.
The Jets took the battle to the Mariners but failed to convert multiple chances before Mariners striker Mitchell Duke snatched the three points with a goal in injury time.
“We need to score goals,” Stubbins said at the post-match press conference.
“I think there were a few occasions there where a little bit more polish in the front third might have got that opportunity to bury the goal.
“We had a few shots on target there and (Liam) Reddy made a couple of good saves, we just weren’t on the front foot to get the rebound on one occasion but I think overall we did quite well.”
Stubbins admits it was a ‘cruel’ loss but refused to blame a non call in the penalty box in the lead up to Duke’s match-winner.
“If there was a push, or whatever it was, the ball ended up in the back of the net and we just take it on the chin and dust ourselves off,” he said.
“(There was a dangerous situation) close to the end of the game and we didn’t deal with it unfortunately but the only thing I’m going to take from the game is the positives.
“I don’t know what the stats are in terms of possession and everything else but I felt for long periods we controlled the game.
“The boys to a man put in a solid performance. I’ve got no real complaints in regard to how the boys acquitted themselves.
“Credit to Central Coast, they kept going and they got the goal at the end but I think it’s fair to say it was one we let go there.”
