Two goals on the road were not enough for Melbourne Victory to avoid defeat to the Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
The newly-crowned Australia Cup winners scored three times before half-time at McDonald Jones Stadium, including twice in the space of six minutes through Ben Gibson and Alex Badolato.
Denis Genreau got his name on the scoresheet as Victory plotted a fightback, only for Badolato, who would later complete a hat-trick, to restore the Jets’ cushion.
Momentum swung once more when Keegan Jelacic produced a tidy finish to bring the away side back within one, but it was Mark Milligan’s men who guaranteed all three points, thanks to Badolato’s latest strike and a late header from Oscar Fryer.
Team News
Arthur Diles named an unchanged Starting XI from Saturday’s scoreless season opener with Auckland FC at AAMI Park, meaning another start for Xavier Stella following his senior debut last weekend. There was a switch amongst the substitutes, as Joshua Rawlins was named on the bench after serving his one-game suspension.
Match Action
Victory’s attacking intent was straining the Jets’ backline during the opening stages, with plenty of opportunities presenting themselves. Jason Davidson and Sebastian Esposito got their heads to Genreau deliveries, but were unable to guide their headers on target, whilst Santos, from both a pop-shot and a fizzing centre, could not find the desired execution.
It was, however, against the direction of traffic that the scoring would be opened after 14 minutes. Badolato spun to shoot inside the area, and despite the sharp reactions of Jack Duncan, Gibson was on hand to feast on the leftovers.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the hosts doubled their advantage. This time, it was Badolato finding the net, picking out the top corner courtesy of a dipping strike from outside of the area.
Unwilling to let the scoreline divert them from the game plan, Victory halved the arrears just five minutes later through the lively Genreau. Davidson’s well-hit drive stung the palms of James Delianov, and his midfield teammate was on hand to slam home the rebound.
But the work put in to get back into the game was knocked back as Newcastle added a third during first-half injury time. Badolato, from a Gibson cutback, and via a deflection, finished off his second of the match.
Half-time: Newcastle Jets 3-1 Melbourne Victory
Diles made a double change at the break, introducing the returning Rawlins and Matthew Grimaldi for the second 45.
Although it was a starter who brought the visitors back into the contest once more. Genreau, during another eye-catching performance, did superbly to wriggle into space, advance into the attacking third and release Jelacic, who expertly lifted the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper for the sixth A-League goal of his career.
The goalscorer nearly turned provider as Victory went in search of a leveller. Jelacic broke down the left and clipped the ball centrally, where Grimaldi, adjusting to the ball’s height as best he could, volleyed over.
Chances continued to present themselves. Genreau went close with a curler, then had a close-range attempt blocked, before his volley into the ground tested the glovework of Delianov.
As the clock ticked down, tensions were rising. Nikos Vergos and Aleksandar Šušnjar clashed not once but twice, and Davidson was on the receiving end of an industrial challenge from Joe Shaughnessy that went unpunished. Victory needed to keep their cool.
Unfortunately, it was Badolato performing with ice in his veins to put the game to bed 11 minutes from time. The attacking-midfielder pounced on a loose ball and, for his treble, found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
There was still time for the Jets to sneak their fifth of the Round 2 match, with second-half substitute Fryer producing a diving header to convert Daniel Wilmering’s far-post cross.
While teenage midfielder Oliver Dragicevic would receive the opportunity to make his competitive debut in senior football during the final moments, Victory were dealt a heavy blow on the road to the Jets.
Match Details
Newcastle Jets 5 (GIBSON 14′, BADOLATO 19′, 45+2′, 79′, FRYER 90+1′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (GENREAU 25′, JELACIC 55′)
Newcastle Jets starting XI: 1. James DELIANOV (GK), 23. Daniel WILMERING, 15. Aleksandar SUSNJAR, 5. Joe SHAUGHNESSY, 39. Thomas AQUILINA (22. Joel BERTOLISSIO 70′), 17. Kosta GROZOS, 14. Max BURGESS, 19. Alex BADOLATO, 43. Xavier BERTONCELLO (45. Christian BRACCO 70′), 28. Will DOBSON (25. Oscar FRYER 57′), 11. Ben GIBSON (9. Lachlan ROSE 56′).
Substitutes not used: 40. Jordan BAYLIS (GK), 8. Lachlan BAYLISS, 42. Max COOPER.
Booking: None.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 2. Jason DAVIDSON (C), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO (22. Joshua RAWLINS 46′), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 8. Jordi VALADON (29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC 90+2′), 34. Xavier STELLA (64. Juan MATA 69′), 23. Keegan JELACIC, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. SANTOS (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 46′), 9. Nikos VERGOS (19. Jing REEC 85′).
Substitutes not used: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE.
Booking: DAVIDSON 35′.
Coming Soon
Victory’s travels continue in a week’s time, as they travel to Perth Glory on Friday, October 31, kick-off 9.45pm AEDT. It is then derby day in Melbourne, with Melbourne City the Round 4 opposition at AAMI Park on Saturday, November 8, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
