Carl Robinson registered his first win as the manager of Western Sydney Wanderers against his former employers Newcastle Jets, as the visitors emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline in an intense and hard fought game at the Newcastle International Sports Centre.
The home side began the game bright and early as they applied pressure during the early minutes, with attacker Valentino Yuel all but running rings around Tate Russell.
Despite making excellent headway and showing the right intent, it was Carl Robinson’s men who drew first blood. Seven minutes into the game, experienced midfielder James Troisi sent in a peach of a delivery that saw Yuel show the slightest hesitation whilst marking his man Ziggy Gordon. The Scotsman did well to rush forward and finish with a glancing header towards the far post that went into the back of the net.
There was a really hilarious situation in the 25th minute as James Trioisi was somehow caught with one shoe in his hand as he passed the ball forward early on in a play that saw Simon Cox combining with with fellow striker Nicolai Muller as the German scoring a brilliant long range goal from outside the box. Unfortunately for the Parramatta outfit, that goal was overturned by VAR since Cox was offside when he received the ball that he had passed into the middle.
Thirty seven minutes in, Yuel appeared to have been taken down in the box for a penalty in what initially looked like a spot kick. The referee Daniel Elder was quick to allow play to go on but also referred it to VAR to be doubly sure of his decision. But it only proved to showcase that his decision was spot on, as the challenge was soft.
Just a minute before half-time, Cox combined beautifully with Muller to allow defender Thomas Aquilina with a golden opportunity to double the lead. But the youngster missed a sitter, in what was a defensively excellent game for for him.
Meanwhile, through the course of the first period, Ramy Najjarine – who is on loan from Melbourne City – played very well and found forward Roy O’Donovan on a couple of occasions with pin point precision. On both occasions, the Irishman was unable to capitalise as the Jets remained goalless at that point.
Just a little before the hour mark, a lack of proper communication between Angus Thurgate and Lucas Mauragis caused a defensive howler that allowed Muller to capitalise and move down the left. The German played it to Cox in the centre and the former Nottingham Forest hitman kept his composure and did not pass it to a marked Troisi who rushed past. But at the right time, he calmly sent it to a completely unmarked Tate Russell and the youngster let loose a thunderbolt that left goalkeeper Jack Duncan with no chance.
With less than 20 minutes to go, the Jets pulled one back as Najjarine sent one in from a corner that saw the skipper Nigel Boogaard head the ball with such finesse that it almost looked like it bounced off his head and into the back of the net.
The home side pushed hard for an equaliser as the remainder of the game saw the Wanderers go through a protracted period of intense pressure. But their defence held firm as the players put their bodies on the line on multiple occasions to pick up all three points.
Western Sydney Wanderers will lock horns with Sydney FC in a blockbuster derby at Stadium Australia next Saturday, while Newcastle will play host to A-League new boys Macarthur FC next Sunday.
