Jets humble Wanderers

NEWCASTLE Jets have cut a second-rate Western Sydney Wanderers down to size in a 4-0 win, demonstrating why they are second in the ALeague and within touching distance of the Sydney FC machine.

Johnny Koutroumbis scored from a cracking strike and Jason Hoffman, Ben Kantarovski and Steven Ugarkovic added the rest at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

Twelve rounds in, Ernie Merrick’s men have eclipsed by one the 28 goals they managed in all of last season’s wooden-spoon campaign.

The Wanderers have conceded nine goals in their past three games.

Part of last night’s appeal was that the VAR, for once, was conspicuous by its absence. Western Sydney’s desire was also absent, and Josep Gombau’s sorry side averted a more embarrassing scoreline thanks only to their hosts’ inability to convert more chances. The Jets were young and quick and in the mood, their stirring display all the more impressive, given injured strikers Roy O’Donovan and Ronny Vargas remained sidelined.

Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic was not helped by his side’s static defence and confusion over how to curb the influence of Dimi Petratos.

By the break, the Jets were leading the shot count 11-3, a lopsided sum that blew out to 21-7 by full-time. The Wanderers’ sole shot on target did not come until the 42nd minute.

Gombau opted for halftime changes, replacing Brendon Santalab with Oriol Riera and tweaking his formation.

The result was renewed vigour, but Newcastle doubled their lead via Hoffman. Kantarovski put in a third goal off a corner and saved the best until last as Petratos offered a silky backheel for Ugarkovic.

AAP