Craig Goodwin’s forceful header helped rescue a point for Adelaide United in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Ronald Vargas struck the first blow before Adelaide equalised 11 minutes later through Goodwin after meeting a delightful cross from Michael Marrone.
Marco Kurz made just the solitary alteration to the starting XI which drew with Sydney FC last week. Ken Ilsø received his maiden league start replacing the injured Mirko Boland in the number 10 role.
It was a rather lacklustre start to proceedings with both sides struggling to find any real rhythm and tempo to their game.
Ilsø was the first Red to test Glen Moss in goal; the Danish attacker drove forward and unleashed a stinging low strike which had to be tipped wide of the post.
Jordan Elsey was also resolute at the back, executing two vital interventions to ensure United’s clean sheet would remain intact. The defender first bailed out Michael Jakobsen with a last-ditch tackle on Jason Hoffman following a rare mistake, and then at full stretch committed a crucial interception off a cross, thwarting a near certain open goal tap-in.
Goodwin came the closest in the 41st minute after rattling the crossbar courtesy of a curling free-kick.
And he nearly brought about the opener through sheer persistence after latching on to a Scott Galloway throw-in and firing a low near-post strike, producing another save from Moss.
But the second-half did not go according to plan for Adelaide as Hoffman pounced on a defensive mix up to help break the deadlock for the visitors on 52 minutes.
The forward collected the ball on the left before his low cross was clinically met by the darting run of Vargas to turn home.
Kurz responded by summoning Blackwood as the Reds went in search of an equaliser.
And the move worked as it sparked the hosts into life, as they showed more urgency.
In the 63rd minute Adelaide got their equaliser as Goodwin headed in Marrone’s pin-point delivery.
Though Newcastle nearly re-took the lead through Hoffman, had Paul Izzo not spectacularly saved.
Adelaide had a valid shout for a penalty waved away when Moss failed to punch the ball and bundled into Blackwood, forcing him from the field.
Though despite the controversial end no side could grab the winner, as the Reds now quickly turn their attention to the FFA Cup 2018 Final.
Key moments:
41’ | CHANCE! Goodwin strikes the crossbar with a bending free-kick on a fairly acute angle.
52’ | GOAL: The Jets capitalise on a defensive lapse in concentration allowing Hoffman to square the ball for Vargas, who finishes from close range.
63’ | GOAL! Goodwin connects with Marrone’s sensational cross to score a magnificent header to draw the Reds level.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5853793285001
68’ | SAVE! Izzo pulls off a stunning save from point blank range to deny Hoffman what seemed a goal.
80’ | Blackwood lets fly from distance and his shot whistles past the upright.
Match details:
Friday, 26 October 2018
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 2
Adelaide United 1 (Goodwin 63’)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Vargas 52’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 7,906
