O’Donovan’s header keeps Jets alive

Newcastle kept its slender top six hopes alive in a nailbiting 1-0 win but they are running out of games.

Roy O’Donovan was the difference for the Jets against United. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle kept its slender top six hopes alive in a nailbiting 1-0 win over Western United at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night. The win sees the Jets leapfrog into seventh position - just a point away from sixth-placed Adelaide United and fifth-placed Perth Glory - but they’re running out of games.

Although United is now a point behind Jets, the newest A-League club still has four games to ensure it can win a playoff spot, while Newcastle has just one more clash before its regular season is done.

Jets striker Roy O’Donovan scored the winner with a diving header from a Jason Hoffman cross in the 29th minute. Knowing a loss would dash its finals hopes United soaked up the relentless Jets’ early balls over the top of their defence but managed to gain some order after Andrew Durante rescued the visitors with a timely tackle as O’Donovan threatened to open the scoring in the 12th minute.

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O’Donovan was lucky to escape punishment when he floored Durante with an elbow to the head two minutes later as the pair chased a loose ball in Western’s defensive half.

After Jets skipper Nigel Boogaard ankle tapped Besart Berisha unpunished Western’s Italian captain Alessandro Diamanti watched his deflected effort cannon of the post in the 18th minute as the visitors deployed a strangling press on Jets defenders when they were close to their own penalty box.

Western’s Connor Pain then had Jets gloveman Lewis Italiano at full stretch with a 10m effort after a tantalising ball from Diamanti in the 25th minute before Jets’ Bernie Ibini’s free header sailed over the bar from 7m.

Besart Berisha had the ball in the back of the net for United but was deemed offside in the 31st minute. O’Donovan was unlucky not to add to his tally just before the break when his 20m shot cannoned off the upright.

As Western regrouped for a brighter start to the second half, Ibini succumbed to what appeared to be a hamstring injury for benched playmaker Dimi Petratos in the 52nd minute.

Jets’ Panamanian international Abdiel Arroyo’s 23m shot then shaved the post with his first touch off the bench in the 59th minute as Western’s search for an equaliser allowed the home side to counter attack with numbers.

Dimi Petratos watched his younger brothers Yerasimakis Petratos and Kosta Petratos join the home side in the final 10 minutes in a bid to protect its slender lead before referee Alex King called it quits for an emphatic win.

The Jets should know whether its finals fate is still alive by Sunday when it faces Wellington Phoenix in its final home-and-away clash at home.

NCA Newswire