Newcastle Jets 2-1 Central Coast Mariners: Jets Edge Out Bitter Rivals In Tight Derby

Round 12 of the A-league kicked off in style with the Newcastle Jets edging out the Central Coast Mariners at home in an enthrilling encounter at Energy Australia Stadium.

Fierce rivals at every turn, both sides did not disappoint their onlookers - flaunting the field with flair, aggression and plenty of attacking intent.

The game got off to a flying start thanks to Michael Bridges, whose first goal in his ‘second coming’ for the Jets put the home side ahead in the 6th minute. A pin point left foot finish capped off Tarek Elrich's penetrating run through the midfield saw the home side take a deserved lead after the game’s fast and furious start.

The going only got better from that point on as the Jets doubled their advantage through a complete mishap in the Mariners’ defence. Sloppy defending and a lack of tight marking meant Labinot Haliti was gifted a simple toe poke inside the 6 yard box.

Yet, instead of making matters worse for the travelling Mariners and capitalising on their early dominance, a melee sparked between the Mariners’ John Hutchinson and the Jets’ fiery Fabio Vignaroli turned the game in the Central Coast’s favour. Due to a lack of concentration from the Jets, the Mariners managed to claw their way back into the fixture through a superb wrap-around volley by Adam Kwasnik that left hapless young keeper Ben Kennedy stranded.

As a whole, the first half would not have disappointed either set of fans as their respective teams launched attack after attack in search of a foothold on the game. Both sides’ midfields became bogged down simply due to the eagerness and intensity which resulted in neither side enjoying substantial time on the ball.

The second half began just as brightly as the first with the vocal Jets faithful setting up an intense run to the end of the derby. Yet the Mariners were the brighter of the two as their midfield provided much more gusto through the guts that led to more penetrating attacking forays.

A string of flurries by the home side looked promising giving the Jets a decisive lead. However, every move was quickly muted by the compact Mariners defence who were holding out strong against their regional rivals

In front of a meager crowd the Newcastle Jets seemed destined to rest on their laurels instead of consolidating their lead as their forward momentum became increasingly dependent on counter attacks.

The game ended with a much needed home win for Branko Culina’s men, yet they remain stranded at the wrong end of the Hyundai A-League table, although they will be glad to secure all three points.

Indeed, they will need to play more convincingly to stand any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon this year; while on the other hand, Lawrie McKinna's men continue to surprise their pre-season skeptics despite tonight's setback.

Julian Mark, Goal.com