Millar salvages Newcastle a point in Robinson's first match

Carl Robinson's start to life as Newcastle Jets coach began with a 1-1 draw away to Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.

Matthew Millar produced a 74th minute equaliser for the visitors, cancelling out Mitch Duke's early penalty and securing Newcastle's eighth consecutive match unbeaten against the Wanderers. 

Although Newcastle came under the pump early on and could have found themselves trailing by more had the Wanderers been more efficient in front of goal, the Jets steadied the ship and applied all the pressure in the second half. 

Their assault was rewarded when Millar played a sharp interchange with Roy O'Donovan before firing past Wanderers' keeper Daniel Lopar, a strike which lifts the Jets above rivals Central Coast Mariners into 10th on the ladder.

Wanderers remain in eighth position, four points adrift of sixth-placed Brisbane Roar.

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Key moments

The Wanderers made the perfect start from the penalty spot. Bruce Kamau tore down the right flank and was tripped up by Jets fullback Bobby Burns.

Mitch Duke made no mistake from the penalty spot, going straight down the middle, the third successful penalty the Wanderers captain has converted this campaign, and his seventh for the season overall.


The Red and Black came so close to doubling their advantage quickly, first when Simon Cox was smothered by Lewis Italiano, before Duke's cutback slammed the foot of the post.


Daniel Lopar had not been tested in the Wanderers goal but Newcastle sprang to life at the end of the opening half. First, Dimitri Petratos headed straight at the Swissman on 40 minutes, before Matthew Millar forced a sharp stop at the near post after being picked out by Nigel Boogaard: the best chance of any note Robinson's side constructed in the opening stanza.

Newcastle continued to push after the break. Lopar parried Petratos' effort to safety, the Jets kept coming, and eventually had the equaliser their second half endeavour merited.


It came when Millar drove forward and played a lovely interchange with Roy O'Donovan, before beating Lopar at the near post to give new boss Robinson a credible point on the road first time out. 


SUNDAY PREVIEW: Western United v Brisbane Roar

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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