THE Newcastle Jets bounced back from last week’s humiliating loss to draw one-all away to Western Sydney Wanderers.
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The Jets came from behind to pick up a hard-earned point at the home of the Asian champions, courtesy of Marcos Flores’ first goal for Newcastle.
Newcastle coach Phil Stubbins made a host of changes from the Jets’ last match; Stubbins handed young defender Nick Cowburn his A-League debut while Ben Kennedy started in goals for the first time this season.
Flores and fellow Argentine Jeronimo Neumann were also handed rare starts.
However, it was the Wanderers who started brightest.
Western Sydney winger Nikita Rukavytsya drew a sharp save from Kennedy, before Jets defender Sam Gallaway hit his own woodwork with an attempted clearance.
The Wanderers opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Tomi Juric, with the striker producing a superb volleyed finish from a looping corner.
It looked likely to be another long day for Jets fans when Flores hit the crossbar shortly after, but Newcastle’s luck changed in the 28th minute when Flores found an equaliser against the run-of-play.
David Carney’s fine lead-up and cross released Flores in behind the Wanderer’s defence, and he kept his cool to slot the ball past an on-rushing Ante Covic.
Newcastle were fortunate not to fall behind again when Juric saw a curling shot rebound of the frame of the goal in the second-half.
The Jets had a chance to win the match at the death, but substitute Joel Griffiths spurned the headed chance.
Newcastle will look for its first win of the season when they take on arch rivals Central Coast at Hunter Stadium this Sunday, November 30 at 5pm.