Jets claim three points from Coveny strike

Vaughan Coveny’s 35th minute strike was enough to claim all three points for the Newcastle Jets this evening as they overcame a lacklustre Queensland Roar.

Miron Bleiberg was forced into a late change to his starting line-up when Simon Lynch tweaked a hamstring in the warm up and was unable to play any part in the game. Dario Vidosic was drafted from the bench to take his place and make his final appearance for Roar prior to his trip to India with the Young Socceroos.

Roar started brightly enough and with some neat passing and clever runs they had the Jets defence on the back foot. Matt McKay was finding plenty of room down the left hand side and Vidosic was pulling the strings in his role just behind the front two.

The killer goal came against the run of play as the home side pressed hard for the opener. The Jets had threatened only occasionally, but it was veteran striker Coveny who made the most of his chance. The big Kiwi got the better of Sasa Ognenovski on the edge of the box then crashed an unstoppable drive past the helpless Tom Willis.

It was rough justice for Miron Bleiberg’s men but they paid the price for some profligate finishing in a game they could have sealed by half time.

Ante Milicic came closest to breaking the deadlock for Roar in the first half with a string of half-chances falling to the former Jets striker. The best of them a drive in the 19th minute that thundered back off the post after Milicic was found cleverly by Reinaldo with a deft chip on the edge of the box.

Roar never got going in the second period and Newcastle grew in confidence as the clock ticked down. The home side huffed and puffed but in fairness it was the Jets who looked the more dangerous.

Miron Bleiberg, whilst disappointed conceded that the better team had won.

“Our game plan was thrown by the loss of Lynchy and Sasa Ognenovski was feeling unwell too, so we had a number of things go against us. Having said that, Newcastle worked hard for their win and although I don’t like to lose, we didn’t deserve to win today.”

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!