Newcastle Jets snap losing run with F3 derby success against the Central Coast Mariners

Socceroos striker Jason Cummings was ‘disappointed’ with his performance in the F3 derby despite scoring for the Mariners.

Returning Socceroo Garang Kuol takes a shot for the Mariners in their loss to Newcastle. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Returning Socceroos striker Jason Cummings scored but it wasn’t enough for the Central Coast Mariners in Sunday’s F3 derby in Gosford.

Cummings’ second-half goal was the only highlight for the Mariners, who were beaten 2-1 by the Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium.

“I’m disappointed,” Cummings told Paramount + following his A-League return after representing the Socceroos at the World Cup in Qatar.

“I felt like we were a little bit tired today. Personally, I wasn’t good enough. I felt sluggish.

“I’ve not been 100 per cent since I came back with jet lag. I wasn’t at my best.”

Mariners trio (from left) Jason Cummings, Danny Vukovic, and Garang Kuol are honoured for being a part of Australia’s World Cup squad in Qatar. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Cummings still managed to equalise for the Mariners in the 53rd minute after Trent Buhagiar scored against his former club to give the Jets a first-half lead.

The tiring Cummings was replaced in the 60th minute by his Socceroos teammate Garang Kuol, with the Mariners seemingly having momentum on their side.

However, it was the Jets who instead lifted, with the visitors regaining the lead in the 66th minute through Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze.

His countryman Beka Dartsmelia provided the assist with a well-placed corner to the back post, where Mikeltadze headed the ball past Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to score his second goal of the season.

The Mariners thought they had equalised for a second time when midfielder Josh Nisbet had the ball in the back of the net in the 74th minute.

However, a handball offence from Michael Ruhs in the build-up was spotted by the VAR and the Jets retained the lead to end their run of three successive A-League losses.

Originally published as Newcastle Jets snap losing run with F3 derby success against the Central Coast Mariners