A-League: Newcastle Jets’ slump continues as they lose to Perth Glory

Newcastle’s Dimitri Petratos moves past Perth’s Neil Kilkenny on Friday night.
Newcastle’s Dimitri Petratos moves past Perth’s Neil Kilkenny on Friday night.Source: Getty Images
Carly Adno from The Daily Telegraph@carlyadno226

UPDATE: NEWCASTLE Jets coach Ernie Merrick says some self-doubt is starting to creep in after the Newcastle Jets slumped to their third consecutive defeat, this time to Perth Glory.

Diego Castro pulled the strings for the Glory, scoring from the spot and setting up Adam Taggart for the second, as Perth beat Newcastle 2-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The result comes on the back of heavy defeats to Adelaide United and Melbourne City, with the Jets conceding 10 goals in just three games. The loss of their captain Nigel Boogaard to injury has been telling, with the Jets struggling at the back without him. Up front they have also failed to produce the type of attacking football that won so many fans over since Andrew Nabbout left for Japan.

Though Newcastle are assured of their second place finish, their losing momentum heading into the finals will be a worry for coach Ernie Merrick with just one game remaining for them to find some form.

Newcastle’s Dimitri Petratos moves past Perth’s Neil Kilkenny on Friday night.Source: Getty Images

“I thought it was a very poor performance,” Merrick said.

“I would say there is self-doubt on some of the players. Some players aren’t playing anywhere near their best and it’s having a knock-on effect.

“We’ve got two games left and the way we’re playing that will be it. We’re not getting better, if anything we’re getting worse.”

Perth played like a team desperate to keep their finals hopes alive, while the Jets let complacency get the better of them for a third week.

It was all Glory in the first half and the visitors were unlucky not to have more than a two goal advantage at the break.

The first goal came within the opening 10 minutes when Joseph Mills was clipped by Riley McGree in the box. The VAR had a second look at the referee’s decision to point to the spot, but the penalty stood and Castro cooly converted to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The Jets managed to get themselves back into the game, but only briefly. Castro then smashed an effort into the crossbar and moments later Perth doubled their lead through Taggart. Castro was again the orchestrator with an excellent ball to Joel Chianese, who then unselfishly squared the ball to Taggart for an easy tap in.

It was Taggart’s fifth goal in the last six games against his former club and the Perth striker also set a new record for the most consecutive number of goals at McDonald Jones Stadium with seven.

Perth Glory’s Adam Taggart celebrates scoring against Newcastle on Friday night.Source: AAP

The Jets simply had no answer. It was a laboured performance and if it wasn’t for an excellent save by Jack Duncan on the stroke of half time, keeping Chianese out, the home side would have gone into the break three goals down.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Jets struggled to find any rhythm. Andy Keogh, Taggart and Castro all had opportunities to extend Perth’s lead, while there were more injury woes for Newcastle with substitute Wayne Brown limping off with what appeared to be a calf injury.

Liam Reddy was only forced to make only two notable saves, the first off Ronny Vargas then Joe Champness late in the game, as Perth held on for a win that keeps their hopes of making the finals alive.

PERTH GLORY 2 (Diego Castro 9m pen, Adam Taggart 27m) NEWCASTLE JETS 0 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Crowd: 8,123. Referee: Chris Beath.