The Newcastle Jets are now fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after Lachie Rose’s sixth goal of the campaign saw them defeat Melbourne City 1-0 at AAMI Park.
The Jets fashioned the first real chance of the game in the 24th minute as full back Daniel Wilmering’s brilliant low cross into the box was met by the outstretched leg of Rose, however the in-form forward was denied at point-blank range by a brilliant save from Socceroo Patrick Beach.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
The home side thought they’d opened the scoring on the approach to half time but a goal for Andrew Nabbout on what was his 200th Isuzu UTE A-League appearance was chalked off after a lengthy offside review.
Melbourne City were almost handed the lead immediately after the break as Jets defender Mark Natta’s attempted clearance from a City cross flew inches wide of his own goal while Jets midfielder Will Dobson then fired agonisingly wide of the target at the other end.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 67th minute and it’s a moment City defender German Ferreyra won’t want to see again in a hurry.
Receiving the ball on the edge of his own box, the Argentinian’s attempted pass out was blocked by Rose, who then raced through on goal and cooly slotted home his sixth goal of the campaign to take the outright lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
With City now piling on the pressure gaps were beginning to widen at the back for the Jets to exploit and they almost did so in the 88th minute, however Joel Bertolissio’s powerful effort from outside the box clipped the crossbar in a huge let off.
Now desperate to find a leveller, Melbourne City threw absolutely everything at the Jets but time and time again they came up against an inspired Delianov, who thwarted them twice late on to secure the points for his side.
The win for the Jets sees them move up into fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder with Rose now the outright leader in the race for the Golden Boot with six goals.
As for Melbourne City, Aurelio Vidmar’s side drop to sixth on the ladder after succumbing to their fourth loss of the season.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Melbourne City boss Aurelio Vidmar lamented his side’s display after they were beaten for the fourth time this season.
In contrast, Jets boss Mark Milligan was full of praise for his Newcastle side, who are now up into fourth on the ladder.
