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| Jake Adelson - scorer for Jets Youth |
South Cardiff Gunners and the Newcastle Jets Youth team played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Ulinga Oval in the Northern NSW NPL on Sunday.
The Jets got scoring underway when striker Radovan Pavicevic found himself one on one with the Gunners keeper. He slotted home with aplomb, and the home team now had their backs firmly against the wall.
More than 20 minutes into the match, South Cardiff's Jeong Sangdeok was dispossessed in front of goal and the Jets flew into attack mode. Reeling off a shot that sailed narrowly over the bar.
Next it was the Jets left back who fired off a bouncing volley that was stray of the mark. Hay (the left back) and his counterpart Jake Adelson provided plenty of highlights for the visitors. Hay with his tireless work ethic found himself crossing into the box countless times, while Adelson on the right had an assured presence and the footspeed to trouble any opponent.
But half an hour in, the Jets would rue their profligacy when South Cardiff's Sean Clarke turned a quick counter into a stunning equaliser. Clarke showed surprising agility to swivel and shoot in the blink of an eye.
The parity was short lived though, as the Jets went to the break 3-1 up after Ryan Ensor curled a shot into the right corner, while Adelson drove one home from an acute angle.
The second half began with more of Clarke's patented swivel and shoot. This time the shot was parried skyward and eventually to safety by the Jets gloveman.
Playing into the wind the Jets nearly extended their lead when Beaudon Mcdonald lobbed the stranded Gunners keeper. With the shot off target, the Gunners struck back making it 3-2 with more than 20 minutes to play.
The Jets continued to threaten, making regular raids down the wings, but Pavicevic and substitute Burke were unable to get clear shots on goal. Sure enough, the Gunners made them pay.
Korean import Jeong led South Cardiff out of their own half with a determined run, fighting off a challenge before setting Dean Kelley loose on goal. The Gunners substitute sprung the offside trap and duly finished with the equalising goal. Jeong who came to the club courtesy of Newcastle Jets' Lee, Ki Je grew into the game, and will surely have more influence as the season goes on.
The final score of 3-3 will ring alarm bells for both coaching teams though, as the Gunners have conceded five goals in their first two matches, while the Jets even worse, have leaked six.
Next week South Cardiff host undefeated Weston Bears, while the Jets Youth travel to Maitland who had a heavy 5-1 defeat to Broadmeadow Magic today.
