A-League: Debut goal from Lleyton Brooks gives Melbourne Victory 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets

Lleyton Brooks has fired the Melbourne Victory to its first win in six weeks, 2-1 over the Newcastle Jets. Other matches were drawn.

Jacob Butterfield, left, of Melbourne Victory contests the ball against Jason Hoffman of the Jets during the A-League match on Saturday. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

It was an afternoon to remember for Lleyton Brooks whose debut goal fired the Melbourne Victory to its first win in six weeks, 2-1 over the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday.

Replacing Ben Folami in the 60th minute the 20-year-old etched his name into Victory folklore as he earned his side a confidence-boosting three points.

The four-time champions were forced to do it the hard way.

Without several of their stars – including Socceroo Robbie Kruse – the Victory rose to the challenge after finding themselves behind and on the back foot.

A first professional goal to defender Dylan Ryan drew the side level after Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ opener, before Brooks sent the small travelling bay into raptures with 11 minutes to go.

Like a shot out of a cannon, these Jets came to play.

Valentino Yuel and Ramy Najjarine both fired early warning shots – with the latter gliding past the Victory defence on the right wing before seeing his curled attempt drift past the post.

The Jets were rewarded for their persistence when Stamatelopoulos finished off a well-worked team goal to open the scoring in the 18th minute. Time stood still as Roy O’Donovan – with his back to goal – held up the ball inside the six-yard box before teeing off the ex-Adelaide forward for his second goal of the season.

The Jets should have walked into their change rooms two or three goals ahead, something they would come to rue.

Without a win in six weeks the Victory needed a spark.

Enter Brooks.

With his only other appearance coming in last season’s 4-0 win against Perth Glory, the 19-year-old executed his role as the super sub to perfection.

Breaking away on the counter attack he slid the ball past Newcastle goalkeeper Lewis Italiano – flipping the script and sending the Victory away with the three points.

In other A-League matches on Saturday, Adelaide United drew with Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 at Coopers Stadium, and Sydney FC and Melbourne City also drew 1-1 at Leichhardt Oval.

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom