Topor-Stanley’s first-half header cancel’s out a super strike by Brisbane’s Alex Parson’s as the Greater Bank Jet’s Tour ends in a stalemate in Coff’s Harbour.
In what was a wet and soggy afternoon at the C.Ex Coffs International stadium, player’s control and passing range were tested to the max as conditions made for keeping the ball and possession difficult.
The Roar started the brighter of the two teams early on, creating a few half-chances which were dealt with comfortably by Jets keeper Jack Duncan.
However, after a foul was conceded by Jet’s captain Nigel Boogaard at the 15th minute mark, the Roar capitalised by taking the free-kick quickly and finding an open Alex Parson’s, who shifted the ball on to his left foot and let fly from well outside the box cannoning into the top left corner to give the Roar a 1-0 lead.
Newcastle responded well with Steven Ugarkovic and Angus Thurgate taking control of the midfield, opening up channels for Roy O’Donovan and Jet’s new signing Valentino Yuel who combined on several occasions, most notably when O’Donovan’s header from a Yuel cross only just failed to hit the target.
The Jet’s pressure was rewarded on the 24th minute mark when Yuel won a free kick deep into the Jets attacking half. Jason Hoffman’s curled the ball into the back post finding an unmarked Nikolai Topor-Stanley who drove his header low and hard into the bottom corner to equalise for the Jets at 1-1. It made it two goals in two matches for the big defender.
The Jets took the ascendency and continued to pepper Brisbane’s goal with Yuel breaking through the Roar defence to force a top one-on-one save from Young, who brilliantly dived to his right to keep the scores level. The Roar almost snatched the lead at half-time, however Duncan did well to make a sharp reflex save to his right to keep the visitors out.
Chances continued to flow throughout the second-half with Yuel just curling his left-footed strike wide and O’Donovan again coming close with a header going just over the bar. The Roar also created their own chance’s, but they were continually snuffed out by Duncan who was thriving in the wet conditions.
In the end, neither side could find a winner as the rain continued to belt down. While obviously disappointed not to take out a win in front of the enthusiastic Coff’s crowd, the performance was another stepping-stone for the preparation of the 2020/21 A-League season in which many positives can be taken. The Newcastle Jets would like to extend a big thank you to all supporters who braved the weather and attended the match as well as to those who tuned in to the match via live-stream or across our Social Media platforms.
The Jets will now prepare for their next pre-season match against the Wellington Phoenix which will take place next Saturday on the 19th of December as apart of the 2020/21 Members Season Launch. Not a member yet? Well sign up today and secure your ticket now: bit.ly/2WHCCsh
