Newcastle Jets strike late to beat Central Coast Mariners

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:36 am

Newcastle have staged a highway robbery in the F3 derby, scoring late to secure an unlikely 2-0 A-League win over Central Coast.

Tuesday night's contest should have belonged to the Mariners, so on top were the eighth-placed side against the high-flying Jets.

But while lightning struck again and again, Paul Okon's side simply couldn't, tormented by ever-so-familiar finishing issues -- not to mention two injuries and Josh Rose's second-half dismissal.

In the end, the Jets' finishing quality shone through in cyclonic conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium, as Dimi Petratos scored in the 82nd minute and Patito Rodriguez announced his A-League arrival with a stoppage-time goal on debut.

Time and again the Mariners failed to reward their own exciting approach play -- none more than Kwabena Appiah. Twice in the first half Appiah was through on Jets goalkeeper Glen Moss, only for the 25-year-old's technique to abandon him at the crucial moment.

Two minutes after slicing wide he was expertly teed up by Blake Powell and out-ran Nigel Boogaard only to shoot straight at Moss.

Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Compounding the events were hamstring injuries to Wout Brama and Connor Pain just before half-time, the latter looking more serious.

With two key players gone, on came new recruit Jacob Melling and youngster Lachlan Wales, as the heavens opened and lightning loomed ominously overhead.

Officials decided it was safe to continue and more chances went begging as the wind played havoc after the break.

The Jets worked into the game a little, especially once Rodriguez was brought on for a 35-minute cameo, but the Mariners had far more luck down the right flank.

Jake McGing sent Appiah on a lively run to lay it on a platter for Powell, who was certain to score had Moss not pulled off a world-class save from point-blank range.

The Jets needed a bit of luck; it came when Rose earned his second yellow card and first dismissal of his A-league career at the age of 36.

Steven Ugarkovic provided the cross for Petratos, who sent the ball into the far corner.

Then Rodriguez got first sight on goal and made it count, the Argentine sliding past Ben Kennedy to seal the result.