The Newcastle Jets kept their 2022 A-League season alive on Friday night (March 18), running rampant over a depleted Wellington Phoenix to win 4 – 0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
At half-time the score was locked 0 – 0, but the Jets cut loose in the second half, including a stunning brace from Cameroon-born Olivier Boumal.
Boumal’s first came six minutes into the second period when he seized onto a rebounding strike from Daniel Penha.
Twelve minutes later, Boumal hit the scoreboard again, firing a low ball past the Phoenix keeper to take the lead out to 2 – 0.
Just four minutes later, striker Beka Mikeltadze put the game beyond doubt curling a deft left-footer into the corner of the net.
The Jets substitute, Eli Bablj then added salt into the wound for Wellington, heading in a fourth goal off a pinpoint left cross from Dylan Murnane.
Phoenix were without several of their regular first eleven, either due to injury or away on international duties.
Captain Alex Reufer, Rebo Piscopo and Askar van Hattum were all out as well as regular goalkeeper Oli Sail.
Things only got worse for the Phoenix when Jaushua Sotirio limped off with a hamstring injury during the match.
For the Jets, the win marks a major form reversal, coming less than two weeks after losing to Phoenix at Central Coast Stadium, and lifting them to ninth place on the ladder with 18 points, five points adrift of the top six.
Ross Barry