U20s Newcastle Jets came back from 1-0 down against Camden Tigers on Sunday night at the LMRFF to lead 5-1 and playing with one player short for most of the second half!. The game had goals, intensity, controversy, yellow and red cards, and most importantly, spectators on the edge of their seats!
The visitors came out with all guns blazing from the opening minute of the match. They were fast, physically strong and dominated every ball in the air. By the 15th minute a well floated ball on the left wing and a fortunate bounce, enabled Oscar Coltman to open the score for the visitors.
The Jets withstood some pressure but once the intensity of the Camden Tigers dropped, they were able to exert their own pressure on the opposition goal mouth that resulted in two penalties being awarded and a score-line of 2-1 by half time!
With the start of the second half, Camden increased the intensity of their play but were unable to open the Jet’s defence. In 66th minute Xavier Reid received a straight red by the ref leaving the Jets with 10 men for the remaining 24 minutes!
The reaction by the Jets was to play a very intelligent possession game wearing their opponents out and looking to hit them on the counter-attack. By the 77th minute Xavier Bertoncello broke through to add the Jet’s 3rd goal and to put the game beyond reach. No sooner had the Sydney team recovered from the third goal, Amos Okumu added a fourth in the 84th minute and Christian Bracco the fifth in the 87th minute. Camden were able to add a consolation goal with a chip over the goalkeeper but it was too little, too late!
The U20s recorded their 4th win in four matches which secures them 1st place. Also, not only was it an enjoyable match to watch, despite 3 yellow cards and a red for the Jets and 3 yellow cards for Camden, it gave the opportunity to a number of young 15 and 16 year old Jets players to gain valuable experience.
Fifteen year old Pat Innes and 16 year old George Tsamouras played full games, while 16 year old Lucas Walshe, Kynan Watkins and Kruze Davidson were thrown into the match during the 2nd half.
FNSW League Two Men’s Round 4:
Newcastle Jets vs Camden Tigers FC on Sunday 26th February at the LMRFF, Speers Point.
Youth Jets won 3-2
U20s Jets won 5-2
FNSW League Two Men’s Round 4 results:
FNSW League Two Men’s Table
Newcastle Jets: 01 Patrick Innes, 21 Cale Graham, 24 Kierry James, 29 Xavier Bertoncello, 33 James Khoury, 34 Max Bailey, 35 Blake Robinson, 36 Amos Okumu, 39 Xavier Reid, 44 George Tsamouras, 57 Christian Bracco, subs: 20 Ethan Lewis, 41 Lucas Walshe, 50 Kynan Watkins, 54 Kruze Davidson.
In FNSW Youth League One, U18s Newcastle Jets were able to salvage their first point of the season by scoring two goals in the final 5 minutes to draw their match 3-3!
FNSW Boy’s Youth One Round 2:
Newcastle Jets vs Blacktown City FC on Sunday 26th February at the LMRFF, Speers Point.
U18s Jets drew 3-3
U16s Jets drew 1-1
U15s Jets drew 1-1
U14s Jets won 2-1
U13s Jets won 5-3
Source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 