Adelaide United has lost 2-1 against Newcastle Jets on Friday night in Round 11 of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
A goal each from Scott Neville and Jeronimo were enough to cancel out Craig Goodwin’s first goal as a Red in front of 10,407 fans at Hunter Stadium.
With United settling into their passing rhythm from kick-off, they looked a revitalised side despite having only played three days earlier.
The Reds first chance in the match came within the opening 10 minutes when intelligent work from Fabio Ferreira on the right flank saw him cut onto his left foot and hit a sweet shot that flashed just wide of Ben Kennedy’s goal.
Soon after, in the 20th minute, brilliant work from Marcelo Carrusca saw him launch a perfectly weighted through-ball into the path of Pablo Sanchez, but the Spaniard wasn’t able to get enough on his first touch to effectively evade an approaching Kennedy.
In a first half that was rather open and free flowing, the Jets weren’t short of half-chances either. Their best opportunity came in the 43rd minute when a lovely cross by David Carney was hit to the back post in search of Andrew Hoole. Hoole’s header was an almost certain goal, but for the incredible reflexes of United captain, Eugene Galekovic, who pulled off an outstanding double-save – first from Hoole, then from Edson Montano.
With Galekovic preventing the Jets from taking the lead just before the break, the Reds’ number one did the same just after it, saving well to his left following a good headed effort by Montano.
But Galekovic’s hard work was unfortunately undone in the 50th minute when Scott Neville poked home after a cross by former Red, Zenon Caravella, was flicked his way towards the back post.
From here the Jets found more space to operate, yet a determined United refused to give up the chase and in the 69th minute it was 1-1.
Tenacious work by half-time substitute, Awer Mabil, saw him open up space for Jimmy Jeggo to run in-behind the Jets’ defence before playing him through. Jeggo, with the awareness to spot Craig Goodwin arriving at the far post, played a decisive ball across Kennedy’s six-yard-box, which Goodwin finished with ease.
This gave Adelaide renewed purpose and they pushed or their second, but it was the Jets who scored against the run of play, Jeronimo with the influential finish in the 81st minute.
After the match, United coach, Josep Gombau, said he wasn’t unsatisfied with his players for the effort and attitude they put into the match, but bemoaned an error that cost the team a goal and, inevitably, the match.
“In the beginning we had the possession of the ball but we didn’t control the game, but after we scored our goal we controlled it,” Gombau said.
“In the end, after a mistake it cost us a goal and the game.
“We did well, I’m not unsatisfied with the players. Their attitude is good and they tried to do everything (they could).”
Match Details
Friday, 19 December 2014
Hyundai A-League Round 11
Newcastle Jets 2 (Neville 50’, Jeronimo 81’)
Adelaide United 1 (Goodwin 69’)
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Attendance: 10,407
