Jets coach pushing for more intent after slow start against Wanderers

Newcastle fought back after a disjointed first-half performance in attack to down Western Sydney 1-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday night.

Angus Thurgate was the hero again for Newcastle, scoring his second winner of the season as the Jets bounced back from a 3-0 loss to Melbourne City.

Thurgate struck in the 61st minute as the Jets came from 10th to leapfrog Wanderers on the A-League ladder into eighth place on 14 points from 11 games.

Thurgate, who scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brisbane on February 3 at home, ran towards the right post and onto a perfectly weighted chipped ball from Daniel Penha before hitting a first-time shot back across keeper Daniel Margush for the goal.

Keeper Jack Duncan made a clutch save in the 90th minute to block a back-post header from Nectarios Triantis at a free kick.

Newcastle were outplayed in the opening half and were often under siege at the back. Jordan Elsey made desperate blocks in the fourth and 38th minutes and Duncan made a brilliant reflex save off his line to deny Ramy Najjarine in the 45th.

The tide turned, though, after the Wanderers' Keijiro Ogawa fired a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle only to be denied for offside in the 50^th minute.

Newcastle created more chances and were rewarded with Thurgate's third goal of the season.

Papas took positives from the resilient effort to keep a clean sheet but he wanted better intent, accuracy and execution in attack throughout heading into the clash with third-placed Macarthur at McDonald Jones Stadium. Macarthur are also backing up from a 1-0 win, over Perth, on Wednesday night.

"We didn't get on top of the game enough or control the ball enough," Papas said.

"Our distances when we had the ball were too far apart and I think we lacked a bit of intent to go forward as well.

"We spoke about that at halftime and we knew we would get a period in the game when we would get on top of them, and when we do get that period, it's important to capitalise on it.

"I thought we had a good 20-minute period, and that was probably the difference, that we actually capitalised on it.

"I was pleased that with two minutes to go in the [first] half, we were under a bit of pressure and managed that situation a lot better than we have the last two games, so that's a positive for the group, that they got through that period and gave us the chance to reflect on the first half and come out and do what we did in the second."

The Jets lost 2-1 to Macarthur in their most recent clash, on December 19, despite Newcastle playing against 10 men for more than 70 minutes.

Papas said midfielder Jordan O'Doherty, who carried a knock out of the City loss last Friday night and was rested against Wanderers, would be available for the Macarthur game and the squad from Wednesday night appeared to have come through unscathed.

"We'll be ready for that game on Saturday and I'm sure the players have that little bit of motivation after what happened [last time]," he said.

"But in the end, you're going to have to come out here again and perform for a full match to get a result."

The Jets welcomed back skipper Matt Jurman from injury against Wanderers, while Mario Arques, Dylan Murnane and Savvas Siatravanis started in place of O'Doherty, Dane Ingham, Valentino Yuel and the suspended Taylor Regan.

Papas also praised Thurgate, who came off with a knock against City and was in doubt for the Wanderers game.

"I think he embodies the spirit of what Newcastle's about, that real never-say-die, and just a tireless worker and you can always expect him to work hard and put himself on the line for the community and for the team, so proud of Angus," he said.

"And I know it's just the beginning for him. I still think there's an enormous amount of growth in him if he decides to take that opportunity."

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