Macarthur FC managed to snatch all three points with 10-men after defeating Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Bulls seemed like they were going to have a tough day in the office after not registering a shot on target in the first-half, having their inform goalkeeper sent off and going into half-time 1-0 down.
However, the tables turned when Daniel De Silva struct a well-timed volley to equalise, before assisting James Meredith to seal the deal with a great header.
Key Moments
7’| Filip Kurto made a comfortable save after Jets striker Beka Mikeltadze shot straight to the keeper.
10’| The Bulls had a great opportunity when an unmarked Lachie Rose received the ball from a corner and took a shot from close range. However, Dylan Murnane made a well-timed block.
18’| RED CARD! Kurto receives a red card after a challenge on Valentino Yuel. Tommy Oar is substituted off to give Nicholas Suman his first A-League Men appearance and Macarthur debut.
31’| Suman is called to make a diving save after Daniel Penha took a powerful strike from outside the box.
35’| Goal. The Jets have taken the lead after a superb free-kick by Mikeltadze.
45’| De Silva came close to scoring after his attempted chip caused the ball to slip out of Jack Duncan’s hands, which then hit the post.
48’| GOAL FOR THE BULLS! De Silva scored a fantastic volley inside the box after an assist by Craig Noone with a cross.
54’| Noone wanted to get his name on the score sheet when he decided to have a long-range shot towards goal, but it went wide.
59’| A huge save from Suman prevents The Jets from taking the lead after the keeper’s chest blocked Oliver Boumal’s close-range shot.
61’| Moudi Najjar had a chance on goal taking a shot from inside the box, but Duncan saved it.
64’| Suman made a save after Jordan O’Doherty’s shot from the edge of the box.
65’| Another save by Suman after a close-range shot by Mikeltadze.
73’| Meredith came close to giving The Bulls the lead after his close-range header went over the bar from a corner.
84’| GOAL FOR THE BULLS! A fantastic header from Meredith gives The Bulls the lead after a pin-point cross from a free-kick by De Silva.
87’| Jake Hollman could have increased the lead for The Bulls with his shot inside the box, but Duncan saved it.
“I thought everyone played their part and we got a very important three points in front of our home supporters for the first time this season,” said Milicic.
“I’m super proud of the boys because they got what they deserved and that’s three points. We knew we would get chances, 100 percent we would get chances, we knew, we just had to take them.
“At the end it was a disciplined performance and I’m pleased that we got the win because at no time was there any conversation at half-time to say ‘let’s try and pinch a point’ or ‘let’s just look for a draw.’ We always believed that if we get one, which we knew we’re capable of, that we could go on and win the game and the boys did that.”
Macarthur FC: 2 (De Silva 48’, Meredith 84’)
Newcastle Jets: 1 (Mikeltadze 35’)
Macarthur FC: 12. KURTO Filip (GK), 4. MEREDITH James, 7. DE SILVA Daniel, 11. OAR Thomas (1. SUMAN Nicholas (GK) 20’), 14. NAJJAR Moudi, 17. NOONE Craig (C) (21. HOLLMAN Jake 70’), 20. USKOK Tomislav, 22. ROSE Liam (2. MCGING Jake 58’), 23. MARIAPPA Adrian, 24. M’MOMBWA (29. ANTONIS Martis 70’), 31. ROSE Lachlan
Substitutes: 8. MUTCH Jordan, 19. RUHS Michael
Newcastle Jets: 1. DUNCAN Jack (GK), 3. HOFFMAN Jason (8. ARQUES Mario 78’), 6. JURMAN Matthew (C), 7. O’DOHERTY Jordan (14. AL-TAAY Mohamed 66’), 9. MIKELTADZE Beka, 10. BOURMAL Olivier (25. SILVERA Samuel 66’), 11. PENHA Daniel, 15. MURNANE Dylan (2. INGHAM Dane 15’), 16. GROZOS Kostandinos, 17. YUEL Valentino (21. SIATRAVANIS Savvas 66’), 44. WARLAND Riley
Substitutes: 20. WEIER Michael (GK), 19. PETRATOS Kosta
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Referee: Alex King
Assistant Referees: Greg Taylor and Adam Powers
Fourth Official: Sam Kelly
