Hoffman’s winner propels Jets

NEWCASTLE has continued its A-League rise from cellar dweller to title contender with a 1-0 home victory over Brisbane.

Playing their fourth match in 15 days, the Jets maintained their hold of second spot on the ladder and edged closer to the club’s first finals appearance since 2009-10.

It is Newcastle’s 10th win of the campaign, equalling the team’s record for most wins outside their grandfinal season of a decade ago.

There were several nearmisses and saved opportunities last night, but Jets defender-turnedattacker Jason Hoffman provided the match winner in the 11th minute.

The 28-year-old, pictured right, netted his third of 201718 and extended Newcastle’s goal-scoring streak to 16 straight games.

The left-footed strike was slotted past Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young after a transition from deep in the hosts’ own territory, including long balls from Dimitri Petratos and Daniel Georgievski, before a deft flick inside from Andrew Nabbout along the 18-yard line.

Four yellow cards were issued, one for Roar defender Avram Papadopoulos, who was returning from a sevenmatch suspension for spitting at an opponent in November.

The match was played in front of a crowd of 12,137.

Earlier, W-League title aspirants the Jets were upset 2-1 by last-placed Adelaide.