22 Oct Jets Outlast Fast Finishing Roar

It took a Massimo Maccarone cancelled goal through the VAR for Newcastle to hold off a fast finishing Brisbane Roar 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The home side had most of the possession early on in the contest, with the Roar through Maccarone, Jade North and Fahid Ben Khalfallah with early opportunities.

The away side broke the deadlock in the first stanza after 13 minutes through newly recruited striker Roy O’Donovan, who nailed his 5th goal of the campaign through a perfect Ivan Vujica cross.

Brett Holman and Maccarone were pressing hard throughout the first half to try and get an equaliser for the home side, with the Jets defence getting back to clear away.

Brisbane got the equaliser through an accidental Nigel Boogard own goal from a great Jack Hingert cross.

Newcastle temporarily shared the lead with Brisbane, with a fantastic Dimi Petratos strike from outside the box to give the Jets back the lead. Petratos didn’t celebrate out of respect of his old team, but gave his side a commanding lead at half time.

Newcastle will be hoping for some news on Venezuelan Ronald Vargas, who broke his leg in the 60th minute in a sickening challenge with Matt McKay and was stretchered off.

Maccarone looked like he had scored in the 70th minute for the Roar to equalise the game, but a contentious VAR decision overruled the goal.

Roar pressed late to try and find the equaliser, but ultimately the Jets held on to win 2-1 and go to the top of the ladder.