Newcastle Jets 1-0 Adelaide United: Jets hold on to defeat United

Tarek Elrich, the only goalscorer of the game
Photo: FFA website

Newcastle Jets have held onto a first-half goal to defeat Adelaide United 1-0 to end Adelaide’s hopes of making the finals on Friday night at Hunter Stadium.

The hosts created the first chance when Jeremy Brockie crossed for Ryan Griffiths but the captain shot wide.

On 10 minutes Adelaide had their first chance when Sergio van Dijk touched, turned but put his effort just wide.

Six minutes before half-time Newcastle took the lead. Francis Jeffers found Tarek Elrich inside the box and the 25-year-old touched and turned before finishing first-time.

In a scrappy game Brockie tried the spectacular when he drove with his left foot but the New Zealand International’s effort was thundered wide.

Adelaide’s next chance came from a goalkeeper error when Jets ‘keeper Ben Kennedy spilled a corner but Osama Malik poked his effort wide.

With one minute to go Adelaide could have snatched a late point but van Dijk’s powerful drive was fantastically saved by Kennedy, the ‘keeper making up for his earlier mistake.

With the resulting corner second-half substitute Bruce Djite headed over from so Newcastle held on for the 1-0 victory.

Newcastle jump up to fifth, one point above Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC while Adelaide remain in ninth, seven points behind the sixth place Heart. United’s finals hopes are practically over.

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