Melbourne Heart FC has recorded a historic first ever win away from home after overcoming the Newcastle Jets 2-0 at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Sunday.
Melbourne Heart FC has recorded a historic first ever win away from home after overcoming the Newcastle Jets 2-0 at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Sunday.
After a strong first half display, Heart powered into control during the second stanza as a stunning Nick Kalmar volley and Gerald Sibon-s last minute penalty ensured the away side collected all three points.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip was delighted his side was able to end it’s duck on the road.
“It was great for us, our first away win. We played well but not always the way we wanted but this was a difficult game in different circumstances,” he said.
“Overall, we were very organised and created more chances and in the end we deserved to win 2-0.
“It was important for us with the confidence we are having but we still needed an away win and today we achieved that.”
Following a cagey opening, the match burst into life after 11 minutes as youngster Adrian Zahra was denied from close range by Ben Kennedy after he attempted to side foot home a low ball from Sibon across the face of goal.
While the Jets dictated terms in the midfield, with Kasey Wehrman controlling the tempo, Heart was able to weather the Jets pressure, linking well in transition to immediately transform defence to attack.
With 25 minutes gone, Heart was presented with a stellar opportunity to edge ahead as Thompson latched onto a flick on from Michael Beauchamp before pivoting in the area and shooting straight at Kennedy.
Kalmar then went close soon after, curling his free kick high from a dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area.
Having been granted a series of reprieves, the Jets were reenergised, venturing forward with intent as the side sought to uncover a solution to its goal scoring woes.
Energetic midfielder Ruben Zadkovich came closest to unlocking the Heart defence and finding the back of the net, carving space just outside the area before pulling his shot just wide of the mark.
Marko Jesic continued the flurry of activity in the Jets attacking third as he directed an effort just beyond the far post as Newcastle completed the opening period in ominous form.
But just after the break, Heart snatched back the momentum as Kalmar produced a stellar strike to send his side into the lead, spectacularly volleying past Kennedy on the turn for his third goal of the campaign.
Buoyed by Kalmar-s effort, Heart asserted control, with the silky skills of Josip Skoko and Wayne Srhoj coming to the fore as the duo acted as the creative pulse of the side.
And it was Srhoj who produced the defence splitting ball which sent Rutger Worm through on goal only for the Dutch import to shoot wide before cheekily attempting to lob Kennedy.
However, the Jets ‘keeper was up to the task, clamouring back to narrowly tip his effort wide.
As the match approached its final act, Zahra had a penalty shout turned down after he claimed to be felled in the area before the referee did finally point to the spot in added time, allowing Sibon to step up and convert.
Melbourne Heart FC 2 (Kalmar 53, Sibon 90+4-)
Newcastle Jets 0
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium, Port Macquarie
Referee: Kris Griffith-Jones
Assistant referees: Daniel Dewhurst and Alex Glasgow
Fourth official: Scott Edeling
Crowd: 3,114
Newcastle Jets line-up: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC (c), 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI (13. Sasho PETROVSKI 76-), 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 14. Labinot HALITI (17. Marcello FIORENTINI 89-), 18. Marko JESIC (22.Kaz PATAFTA 67-), 19. Ali ABASS
Substitutes not used: 40. Matthew NASH
Yellow Cards: Ljubo MILICEVIC 88-
Red Cards: Nil
Melbourne Heart FC line-up: 1.Clint BOLTON, 2.Michael MARRONE, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6.Matt THOMPSON (c) (4.Simon COLOSIMO 79-), 7.Rutger WORM (17. Jason HOFFMAN 87-), 9.Gerald SIBON, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 20.Josip SKOKO, 22.Nick KALMAR (19.Eli BABALJ 71-), 16.Aziz BEHICH, 25.Adrian ZAHRA
Substitutes not used: 12.Peter ZOIS
Yellow Cards: Wayne SRHOJ 76-
Red Cards: Nil
