Match Review Round 22: Jets v Heart

It was spring when Newcastle last won at home, and after picking up only two out of a possible 18 points at Hunter Stadium over the summer months, the Jets are finally back on the winning stage, and back in the top six, once again courtesy of Adam Taggart, the man with one foot in the golden boot.

Taggart’s 53rd minute goal was his 11th of the season, after a hat trick against  Heart in Newcastle’s last home win, last November. The deciding goal came off a stunning cross from Josh Brilliante, whose inch-perfect cross evaded Andrew Redmayne, leaving Taggart with the simplest of finishes.

It was the Heart who dominated early on a pitch that was as patchy as both sides’ form has been this season, with Iain Ramsay hitting the woodwork from close range inside the first 40 seconds, and Hoffman, Kisnorbo and golden boot late runner David Williams all missing early opportunities.

Both managers seemed more intent on not losing, rather than winning this match. A four-man defence for both sides left little support for the in-form strikers Taggart and Williams, and while the latter will be ruing a missed opportunity at squaring the match from a post-corner scramble, it was Kisnorbo and Redmayne, twice combining to deny Taggart his second goal, who did the most to save Melbourne Heart from a more embarrassing scoreline.

Newcastle now have a foot in the top six, and are back to winning at home. Of their remaining five matches three are at home, while their other two are away to Central Coast and Perth. Heart however have two matches at AAMI Park to pick themselves up before facing the two league leaders, as well as Adelaide away, in the run to the finals.

BY LOUIS BRAVOS

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