A-League: Newcastle Jets into top six after win over Brisbane Roar

Newcastle Jets seem to be finding their groove as a 2-0 win over Brisbane lifted them into the top six.

Newcastle’s Jair takes on the Roar defence during the Jets’ 2-0 win at McDonald Jones Stadium. Picture: AAP

It has taken them some time to find their groove, but Newcastle Jets are seemingly on the way back after their 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium, which lifted them into the A-League’s top six for the first time this season.

The Jets are still a long way from their very best, but last season’s beaten grand finalists were good enough against a disappointing Roar, who remain in the bottom three after the opening seven rounds.

First A-League goals for Kaine Sheppard (45th minute) and Brazilian attacker Jair (58th) gave the Jets their second win of the season and elevated them from ninth into sixth spot. They have the same points (eight) as Western Sydney Wanderers but have a better goal difference.

Few could argue Newcastle didn’t deserve their win as they produced most of the attacking ­intent and flair. The home side created by far the better chances and were rarely tested, ­especially during a totally dominant second half.

It was a day to remember for Sheppard, who was signed by the club from the Victorian NPL at the start of the season. The striker, who had made just three appearances as a substitute this season, wasn’t due to start the match but was a late inclusion in the line-up when Jason Hoffman had to withdraw after waking up with a bad back.

The 24-year-old Englishman made the most of his starting debut, doing well to take his goal and impressing with his workrate.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick was delighted with the performance of his team and full of praise for Sheppard.

“I thought it was a good response from the team after last week’s loss (to Melbourne City). We dominated in the second half and probably could have had a couple more goals towards the end,” Merrick said.

“Young Kaine did a really good job today. He is very good on the ball and very hard to push off it.”

Unfortunately, the first 45 minutes was a dull affair lacking in ­entertainment value as the two sides cancelled each other out defensively. Chances were few and far between.

The first real opportunity came on 16 minutes for the Roar when Matt McKay delivered a beautiful pass to Eric Bautheac, who just managed to get his foot to the ball in the six-yard box and force a superb reflex save from Glen Moss.

Brisbane coach John Aloisi lamented the missed opportunity and the fact his side was forced to again come from behind.

“If we had taken that chance we would have been a goal up and goals change games,” Aloisi said. “Their goal just before half time didn’t help us. Then they catch us on the counter for their second goal. After that we lost our way. The players became anxious, tried to push to get the result and we did not play our game.

“But the real concern is that we have now conceded the first goal in five of our seven games. It makes it hard when you have the pressure of the scoreboard on you.”

The home side broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when Dimi Petratos fed Daniel Georgievski on the right. The fullback then cut the ball back to the near post where Sheppard did well to turn the ball into the net from about five metres out.

It didn’t take the Jets long to get into their stride in the second half.

A Georgievski cross was headed on to the right post by Ronnie Vargas. The rebound fell to Jair, whose left-foot shot was superbly saved by goalkeeper Jamie Young.

But Brisbane’s luck ran out 11 minutes later. Georgievski’s tackle on McKay just outside the Jets penalty area saw the ball run free to Petratos who raced 50 metres upfield. He had a teammate either side of him as he approached the penalty area, electing to slip the ball to Jair inside the box and he hammered a first-time effort into the top right-hand corner of the net to make it 2-0.

The second half was close to the Jets’ best 45 minutes of the season.