Macarthur clinched a 3-2 victory over Newcastle Jets, the league leaders, at Campbelltown Stadium, highlighted by a brace from Mitch Duke and a single strike from Rafael Durán.
The Bulls made another impressive start, reminiscent of their surprising victory over Auckland, as Mitch Duke opened the scoring early. However, Newcastle responded quickly with a controversial equaliser from Xavier Bertoncello. Duke then turned provider, setting up Rafael Durán for Macarthur’s second goal, but Bertoncello was not done, scoring again to level things up. In a thrilling finish, Duke netted his second with a deft glancing header, securing a second consecutive upset win for Macarthur.
This victory lifts Macarthur four points clear of seventh-placed Central Coast, energising their quest for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Newcastle, following in the footsteps of title contenders Auckland, fell to Macarthur. If Auckland manages to defeat Adelaide on Good Friday, the gap between first and second will narrow down to just two points.
Macarthur started the match with a burst of energy. Before Newcastle found their rhythm, Anthony Caceres flicked a cross to the back post, where Rafael Durán headed it down for Mitch Duke, who cleverly spun and directed the ball past James Delianov, scoring his third goal of the season.
Against the run of play, the visitors equalised when Kosta Grozos slipped the ball behind a high line of Macarthur defenders for Xavier Bertoncello, who seized the opportunity and swept it past Alex Robinson. After a lengthy review for a potential handball in the build-up, the goal was awarded.
Macarthur quickly regained the lead in the 23rd minute when Duke moved to the left and delivered a brilliant ball to Durán, who was the sole attacker on the ball; this partnership bore fruit once again, restoring the Bulls’ advantage.
In the closing moments of the first half, during five added minutes, a corner from Newcastle was cleared but fell to Daniel Wilmering. In a stroke of luck, his effort found Bertoncello, who expertly controlled it before slotting it in off the post to level the score at 2-2.
Newcastle’s substitute Eli Adams believed he had put his side ahead in the 55th minute, only for the linesman to raise his flag and deny him a sixth career goal against the Bulls.
Duke scored his second of the night in the 68th minute, connecting with a cross from Callum Talbot, guiding it past Delianov with a delicate header.
More drama unfolded as Will Dobson slipped the ball to Wilmering, who was brought down by Luke Vickery, leading to a penalty award. However, VAR intervened and deemed the foul occurred outside the box, rendering Dobson’s subsequent free-kick rather disappointing.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Mitch Duke
Mile Sterjovski
Mark Milligan
Compiled by SportArena.au
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