Newcastle and Adelaide United Share the Spoils in a Dramatic Draw
Newcastle and Adelaide United delivered a thrilling encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. The match was filled with dramatic moments, with both teams creating chances and coming close to securing victory.
Adelaide United took the lead in the 73rd minute when Ryan White found the back of the net. However, Newcastle’s Daniel Wilmering ensured the home side shared the points by scoring deep into injury time. This result saw Newcastle move three points clear of second-placed Auckland FC, following their 2-2 draw with third-ranked Melbourne Victory earlier in the day. Adelaide United also climbed up the league table, overtaking Melbourne Victory and sitting one point ahead in third place.
The first half was relatively quiet, with few chances for either side. Adelaide’s Jonny Yull had a great opportunity midway through the half after being set up by Luka Jovanovic. However, he scuffed his shot with just James Delianov to beat. Zavier Bertoncello came close in the 42nd minute when he struck the upright after being played in by Zach Clough. His first-time left-footed curler was deflected off Ethan Alagich before hitting the outside of the woodwork.
Newcastle dominated the early stages of the second half but could only create a series of half-chances. On 64 minutes, Adelaide had a great chance when substitute Brody Burkitt sent a cross wide on the right. The ball was only half-cleared by the Jets, allowing Ryan Kitto to control the loose ball and volley towards the bottom corner. Delianov made an impressive diving save to keep the score level.
The hosts had a glorious opportunity on 72 minutes to break the deadlock. Clough threaded a delightful through-ball for substitute Lachlan Rose, who had goalkeeper Joshua Smits to beat. He fired his shot directly into the Dutch custodian and was left to rue the missed opportunity as the Reds found the net almost immediately on 73 minutes.
Substitute Anselmo collected the ball in midfield and split the Jets’ defense, picking out White, who rounded Delianov and slammed the ball home from close range. Two minutes later, Anselmo thought he had his second assist. The Brazilian latched onto a ball over the Jets’ defense and drove a cutback to the top of the box for Alagich to slot home, but it was ruled out by VAR, with the ball judged to have crossed the byline before Anselmo’s cross.
Anselmo then put the ball in the net with an acrobatic bicycle kick after a cross from Yull, but it was ruled out for offside. Newcastle would have the last say, with Wilmering tapping in from close range almost four minutes into stoppage time.
Eli Adams drove a low, hopeful ball into the packed Reds’ penalty area. It evaded everyone and forced Smits into a diving save, with the rebound sitting perfectly for Wilmering to turn in.
