The Newcastle Jets secured an important 1-0 win over Macarthur to extend their winning streak and see an unbeaten run over six matches. Horrific weather conditions also forced a two-hour delay, with play suspended twice in the match.
The game began with both teams settling into the match quite quickly, with attacking opportunities at both ends of the field.
Newcastle then took an early lead in the eighth minute, with Trent Buhagiar slotting the ball past Macarthur’s goalkeeper Filip Kurto and into the back of the net.
An early lead allowed the Jets to take hold of the possession before the storm began to pick up and referee Stephen Lucas suspended the match due to lightning in the 14th minute.
A minimum of 30 minutes was to pass before the match could return, with another lightning strike forcing an additional half an hour break.
The match then resumed and saw the Jets with a chance as Kosta Grozos’ fired a shot at Kurto who punched the ball back into play.
After just 12 minutes of play returning, the match was suspended again forcing another 30-minute break.
Two and a half hours after the match first began, both teams returned to the field with the Jets leading 1-0.
The intensity picked up in the match, with both sides creating a variety of chances, however, the Jets held onto the lead at halftime.
The home side came into the second half with the urgency to create goal-scoring opportunities, but Jack Duncan was too strong in front of the goals, to deny Macarthur multiple times.
The Jets had a quality chance late in the second half with a clinical through ball from Beka Dartsmelia that was cleared out by Macarthur’s defence.
After four hours since the game kicked off, the Jets leave Campbelltown with an important three points.
Arthur Papas’ side returns home next Saturday to take on Western United at McDonald Jones Stadium, kicking off at 5 pm.
