Too good, simply too good; the Mariners dominated this Derby and the result was never in doubt. Minus Ryan, Rogic and Sterjovski the Mariners didn’t miss a beat as they outclassed their F3 opponents.
Newcastle started brightly enough, more than matching the Mariners with a nice blend of neat passing football or going long to the hulking Heskey. The Mariners, calmly believing in their football, gradually increased the tempo with the skill and vision of McGlinchey prominent; gradually but ominously the Mariners were pulling the Jets apart.
One marvellous run and pass from McGlinchey found Bozanic racing clear but Ollie is not what you would call lethal in front of goal and somehow lifted the chance over Nash but wide of the post; twice more he had chances to score but skewed one wrong foot right footer over the bar and when he finally did hit the target Nash saved. Bernie and Bojic were a constant threat down the right and Rose was getting room on the left. Newcastle were being overwhelmed, Goodwin their only spark. Zwaanswijk headed just wide. The Mariners went into the break having done everything but score.
It was only a matter of time til the dam wall broke; four minutes to be precise: and it was all McBreen’s goal. The veteran striker, seemingly running on football’s version of Viagra, collected the ball about 35 metres out, turned and swept a pass to the supporting Josh Rose on the left; the cross from Rose was right on the money and McBreen gleefully dispatched it first time with the right boot past the stranded Nash. Perfection can be seen in the simplest of things and this goal was simply perfect.
Newcastle had a rare foray when Heskey hit a strong shot into the side netting but Pasfield, impressive throughout, had it covered.
McGlinchey burst through on the right but couldn’t find a team mate and then Bojic made a strong run but was blocked by Regan. Newcastle then committed suicide. No player at a corner should be left unmarked so why did the Jets leave McBreen, the most dangerous goal threat, completely alone? McBreen accepted the gift with a strong downward header from McGlinchey’s corner. Thank you Newcastle, and good night.
Bozanic was replaced by Mitchell Duke after a head clash left him with a lump the size of an egg on his cheek. Hutchinson gave up possession and then, predictably fouled to try to regain the ball. From the free kick, a fair distance out, Pasfield showed wonderful hands and confidence as he plucked the shot out of the air. The Mariners looked for more, Duke was lively and persistent, Pellegrino replaced the hard working Ibini and then Michael Bridges showed sublime skill to put Goodwin through in the dying seconds but Pasfield did enough to narrow the angle and the shot went wide.
The Mariners were full value for this win, they were wonderfully sure of what they were doing, what each of their roles was; the defence gave Newcastle nothing to work with. They are really making a statement about retaining their Premiership: it will take a very good team to stop them.
MoM could have gone to almost anyone: Pasfield, Bojic, Rose, Sainsbury, McGlinchey, Ibini and Montgomery all laid claim – testimony to the level of performance and the team effort – but I will give it to McBreen, partly because of the two goals but also for his defending from the front and his willingness to chase back. He sets a work ethic standard that is an inspiration to the team.
And credit too to Arnie who has this team so impressively drilled: it was awesome to watch.