Minniecon double brings down Jets Youth

The Newcastle Jets Youth side has been defeated 2-0 by Gold Coast United Youth this evening at Adamstown Oval.


Winger Tahj Minniecon proved to be the difference between the two sides, netting a brace either side of the half-time break to seal the three competition points for the visitors.

In the 5th minute, Hyundai A-League regular Minniecon picked up a loose ball within striking range of the home side goal, but his shot from 10 yards was parried wide by Jets- custodian Dion Shaw.

Ten minutes later and the home side nearly went ahead through Brodie Mooy, who cut inside from the left after receiving a short pass from Kaz Patafta before firing a low drive from the edge of the area. Unfortunately for the Jets, Gold Coast ‘keeper Jerrad Tyson was up to the challenge and held the shot well.

Midway through the half and Golgol Mebrahtu was left unmarked inside the area with the Coast on the attack. However, upon picking the ball up, he blazed his effort well over the bar.

Minniecon-s class showed at the back end of the half and he made his opportunity count when a cross from the right wasn-t cleared by the home side. The former Qantas Young Socceroo then calmly slotted his shot beneath Shaw to give the visitors the advantage heading into the break.

Five minutes after the interval and Minniecon sealed the points with a brilliant solo effort. Slaloming his way through the Jets rearguard, the flier then slotted home a low shot once one-on-one with Shaw.

On 66 minutes, Pavlovic looked to claw a goal back when he turned on the edge of the area and hit a fierce right-footed strike just wide of the Gold Coast goal.

Shaw then made two superb fingertip saves to keep the home side in the contest. First off a James Brown effort and again moments later when Andrew Barisic hit a stinging drive from distance.

The Jets continued to press on for a way back into the match, and only eight minutes from time they nearly pegged one back through Pavlovic. After some fine lead-up work by Hoffman and Jarrad Ross down the right flank, Damian Brosque teed up Pavlovic who-s shot on the turn was deflected barely wide.

The loss breaks the Jets- two-match win streak, but stretches the Gold Coast-s unbeaten run to ten games.

Match details: Newcastle Jets Youth: 1. Dion SHAW (gk), 2. Jason HOFFMAN, 3. Mario SIMIC, 4. Umut TOKDOGAN, 5. Scott BALDERSON (13. Jesse PINTO 57-), 6. Taylor REGAN (c), 7. Ali ABBAS (OA)(12. Jarrad ROSS 51-), 8. Brodie MOOY, 9. Jason NAIDOVSKI (14. Damian BROSQUE 58-), 10. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 11. Kaz PATAFTA

Unused substitutes: 20. Jake PURCHES (gk) Yellow cards: Nil Red cards: Nil

Gold Coast United Youth: 1. Jerrad TYSON (gk), 2. Steven TOPALOVIC, 3. James BROWN, 5. Ben WEARING, 7. Zachary ANDERSON (c), 8. Tahj MINNIECON, 9. Andrew BARISIC (OA), 10. Koh SATAKE, 12. Golgol MEBRAHTU (15. Ramone CLOSE 58-), 13. Callum HARE (4. Neko VUJEVICH 57-), 14. Joshua BRILLANTE (11. Ben HALLORAN 58-)

Unused substitutes: 20. Tim ANDERSON (gk) Yellow cards: Andrew Barisic 18- Red cards: Nil

Newcastle Jets Youth: 0 Gold Coast United Youth: 2 (Minniecon 38-/50-) Referee: Kurt AMS