THE Newcastle Jets were robbed of a goal and then handed Western United two as they went down 2-1 in a FFA Cup qualifier at Geelong on Saturday night.
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In drama-charged opening night for new coach Arthur Papas, the Jets had the better of the game but finished on the wrong side of the scoreline and failed to progress to the round of 32 in the knockout competition.
There were three major talking points from a high quality contest - a non-goal that should have been a goal, a wonder strike from Daniel Penha and a horror mistake from keeper Jack Duncan.
The Jets thought they had gone ahead in the 30th minute when Western United keeper Jamie Young couldn't control a crisp shot from Angus Thurgate. The ball ballooned out of his gloves and landed in the goal before spinning back out into the field of play.
The Jets started to celebrate only for referee Jonathan Barreiro to wave play on.
VAR and goal-line technology are not used in the FFA Cup but television replays confirmed a goal should have been awarded.
In the end, the Jets paid the price for two mistakes by Duncan.
He misjudged a through-ball from Neil Kilkenny which allowed Lachy Wales to squeeze a shot inside the near post to put the home side ahead in the 44th minute.
Then, after Daniel Penha hit a tracer bullet from 25 metres to level in the 64th minute, Duncan came up short again.
He rushed out of his box to clear a long ball from Alessandro Diamanti. He got to the ball in plenty of time but inexplicably had an air swing, presenting substitute Aleksandar Prijovic with an open net.
Duncan did make two quality saves to deny Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Prijovic, but he will not look back on the game fondly.
Young was by far the busier of the two keepers and produced two finger-tip saves to thwart replacement Valentino Yuel in injury time.
Elements of the new style Papas has introduced were present. The Jets had 59 per cent of possession and crafted 21 shots to 6.
Penha was a standout.
His freekick from 25 metres would feature a highlights real in any league in the world.
But there was more to the Brazilian's game. He had two other efforts parried away and opened up the defence with incisive passes and slalom runs.
There were eight fresh faces in the XI for the Jets.
Apart from Penha, Olivier Boumal was a constant threat out wide, Dane Ingham was strong at right back and Jordan Elsey and Matt Jurman were immense at the back.
Western United progress to the main draw off the FFA Cup where they will meet Wellington in the round of 32.
The Jets open their A-League campaign against Central Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday week.
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
