The Jets have been defeated 3-1 by Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Sunday evening.
The Newcastle Jets have put in a spirited effort away to Gold Coast United tonight but suffered their second loss of the season with the 3-1 defeat at Skilled Park.
The Jets nearly got off to a flying start away from home when Ruben Zadkovich sent a cracking shot just past the post in only the second minute of play.
However it was the home side that made the early breakthrough when Maceo Rigters sent an unstoppable shot past Ben Kennedy for the opener eleven minutes into the match.
Rigters continued to show his strength on the ball throughout the match, but was unable to find that same power and precision in his attempt to extend Gold Coast-s lead going into the half time break.
It was Newcastle who went on to create the majority of clear cut opportunities for the remainder of the first half, and were unfortunate not to find an equaliser.
It took an excellent sliding challenge from Michael Thwaite to deny Jeremy Brockie on 22 minutes after a decisive through ball from Kasey Wehrman almost putting him through on goal.
Jobe Wheelhouse then had his shot blocked by Glen Moss just two minutes later after Ryan Griffiths found him open inside the area.
Gold Coast United maintained their one goal advantage going into half time, and started the second strongly as they looked to build on their first half lead. Rigters almost made it two goals just seconds after the restart with a nice run down the left hand side, but just brushed his shot past the post with his final attempt.
Kennedy was forced into action again just four minutes later when James Brown was released in behind the defence and worked his way into a one-on-one opportunity but Kennedy did well to prevent his attempt.
The Jets first chance of the second half came on 51 minutes after a pin point Tarek Elrich cross found Ryan Griffiths at the back post and with Moss off his line, it was Thwaite who again came to Gold Coast-s rescue as he deflected Labinot Haliti-s shot wide.
Gold Coast United extended their lead at the 58 minute mark through defender Kristian Rees, who followed in Peter Jungschlager-s free kick to tap it into an empty net after Kennedy could only parry away the initial attempt on goal.
Newcastle Jets breathed hope back into the Jets quest for an away result when Wheelhouse was left unmarked at the back post from a Griffiths free kick, and took an excellent first touch and shot on 68 minutes to make the score 2-1.
Gold Coast then put the result beyond doubt on 83 minutes when Brown again exposed the gaps in Newcastle-s defense to get in space and slot the ball past Kennedy to make the score 3-1, and with less than ten minutes remaining it all but secured their first three points of the season.
“In patches we were a lot better, we controlled a lot more than in the first three games, but it-s going to take some time the for the side to gel together,” said Jets coach Gary van Egmond.
While the Jets will be disappointed with another loss on the road, they will be looking to improve and get another three points at their so far unbeaten home as they take on Perth Glory at Ausgrid Stadium next Saturday.
Match Details
Gold Coast United 3 (M. Rigters 11-, K. Rees 58-, J.Brown 83-)
Newcastle Jets FC 1 (J. Wheelhouse 68-)
Sunday 30th October 5pm (Eastern Daylight saving time)
Skilled Park, Robina, QLD.
Newcastle Jets line up: 1. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 2. Taylor Regan, 4. Nickolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7. Kasey WHERMAN (14. LabinotHALITI 45-), 8. Jeremy BROCKIE (22. Ali ABBAS 81-), 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE (18. Marko JESIC 74-), 13. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS.
Substitutes not used: 19. Mathew NASH (GK).
Gold Coast United FC line up: 1. Glen MOSS (GK), 3. Michael THWAITE (c), 5. Kristian REES, 6. PaulBEEKMANS, 8. ROBSON, 12. Dylan MACALLISTER(21. Daniel SEVERINO 84-), 15. Adama TRAORE, 16.Maceo RIGTERS (29. Mitch BEVAN 91-), 18. JamesBROWN, 22. Peter JUNGSCHLAGER (27. AmbesYOSIEF 80-), 23. Dylan MCGOWAN.
Substitutes not used: 20. Jerrad TYSON (GK).
