U16s Newcastle Jets drop another 2 points after being held to a 3-3 draw at Rockdale in Sydney in Round 13 of the competition! After conceding a 2-2 draw the previous week in Newcastle against South Coast Flame, the U16s playing at full strength were favorites to defeat lowly placed St George FC. The script didn’t go according to plan and even the locals were rubbing their eyes when they reached a 3-0 lead!
The Newcastle team began the match playing rushed football without the composure we have been accustomed to seeing over the past 3 months that has resulted in them recording 10 consecutive victories from their first 10 matches. Despite this, they were handed the opportunity to stamp their authority on the game with an early penalty, but the St George goal keeper saved the day!
A couple of chances fell to the local team but were easily handled by the Newcastle goal keeper. Then a long range effort was initially saved but the rebound fell to the feet of an on coming St George player who had no difficulty putting away the ball for a surprising 1-0!
A little later a cross from the left was misjudged and came off the Newcastle goal keeper’s foot to end up at the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage to the local team. The Jets created some chances of their own but the ball refused to end up at the back of the net, ending the half 2-0 in favor of St George.
With the start of the 2nd half things got even worse when a corner kick for the local team and the ensuing pushing and shoving on the Newcastle goalkeeper resulted in a poor clearance and a 3-0 lead!
With a mountain to climb the Newcastle Jets team clicked into gear and began to take control of the game. Winning a simple 1 v 1 duel on the left by a Jets winger resulted in a cross and a simple tap in for the score-line to be reduced to 3-1. A cross from the right had the St George defense stretched to the extent that the Jets left winger was able to head the ball unchallenged into an empty net for a 3-2 margin! With 2 minutes to go, a quickly taken free kick from the middle of the field resulted in a well taken volley from the right and Newcastle clawing their way back to 3-3!
Whilst the Newcastle team should be congratulated for fighting back and salvaging a drew, the inability to take control of the game from the start for the second week in a row is something which needs to be fixed during the week before our next game.
The St George team also deserve a pat on the back for their effort in attacking their opponent and showing no fear during the game.
St. George FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 14th May at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Sydney.
U18s Jets won 2-1
U16s Jets drew 3-3
U15s Jets won 2-1
U14s Jets lost 3-2
U13s Jets won 2-1
U16s Round 13 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:
U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:
FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:
source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 