Ten-man Newcastle Jets hang tough for 2-0 win over Western United

The Jets were superior in the first half and led at the break thanks to a double from Trent Buhagiar, who returned to the starting side in place of the injured Reno Piscopo (groin).

Callum Timmins was another addition to the first XI, starting in place of skipper Brandon O'Neill, who moved to the bench because of his battle with a lung infection through the week.

The change led to the elevation of Stamatelopoulos to the captaincy for the first time but he let his side down with two acts of ill-discipline.

The striker was booked late in the first half for standing too close to a free kick, then he copped a second with a late challenge on Kane Vidmar.

The send off threatened to turn the match but while keeper Ryan Scott was called into action more, he was largely untroubled.

Last-placed United came closest to scoring when Michael Ruhs hit the left post with a great chance in the 83^rd minute.

It was a first home win of the season for the Jets, who were 10^th on nine points before the round 10 A-League clash.

Coach Rob Stanton said his players delivered what he wanted at both ends of the pitch.

"I thought we started the game with the right intent," Stanton said.

"That's what I wanted from the players, to be aggressive, on the front foot. I said I wanted forward football today and I think we showed good glimpses in some of our earlier home games and hadn't been rewarded.

"But today, I thought the two goals we scored were really good. You could see the intent from the players - aggressive when we went forward, we defended really, really tight at the back, where we've done a lot of work.

"When we went to 10 men, obviously that changes everything. Fortunately Brandon [O'Neill] was able to come on and help marshal them there and I brought Archie [Goodwin] on then as well just to work hard in the centre.

"I thought collectively, it was a good effort."

He felt the bookings on Stamatelopoulos, which will lead to a one-game suspension, were for "minor challenges".

"Do they warrant yellows? Maybe in the laws of the game," he said.

"Unfortunately, that's the way the game is and that happened. Yeah, it's disappointing but I have a lot of faith in everyone and someone else will step in and we'll go from there."

Newcastle were on top early in the match when Buhagiar scored on eight minutes. He was gifted a free header from close range in the centre of goals off a Dane Ingham cross.

He could have had three goals inside 17 minutes but he was denied at a goalmouth scramble in the 16^th then was away on goals off a quick throw-in only to have his one-on-one chance blocked moments later. Clayton Taylor had a chance off the rebound from the second save but sprayed his shot well over the crossbar.

Buhagiar, though, made no mistake with his next breakaway chance in the 22^nd minute.

The Jets broke quickly from a United corner with Buhagiar taking the ball from well inside Newcastle's half to the United penalty box before feigning a shot then placing his strike into the bottom left corner of goal.

The Jets continued to pile on the pressure as Taylor found the crossbar with a volleyed shot in the 26^th minute.

United looked to have got one back in the 33^rd when Noah Botic knocked in Riku Danzaki's ball, but the scorer was ruled offside, a decision that was confirmed on review.

Danzaki then added to United woes when he came off in the 39^th minute with a shoulder injury.

Newcastle finished the half with six shots on target to United's zero.

Stamatelopoulos had a shot smothered in the 51^st minute before United's threat grew.

An unmarked Botic failed to get a touch on a cross in the 53^rd minute and former Jet Daniel Penha forced a diving save from Ryan Scott with a free kick in the 54^th.

Down to 10 men, Newcastle still created chances. Tom Aquilina (61^st minute) and Archie Goodwin (80th) had one-on-one opportunities but scuffed their shots.