Match Report – St George FC V Newcastle Jets – A League Team Trial
Newcastle Jets former Socceroo Mark Milligan has begun his coaching career with a comfortable 4-1 win over NPL Club St George FC in a “friendly” at Barton Park on a cold Wednesday night.
The Jets “took off” early and led 3-0 at half time courtesy of goals from striker Xavier Bertoncello, left winger Ollie Cockele and mid-fielder Max Burgess.
The Jets fielded a mixture of first team and youth players in both halves with all twenty-four players involved who made the trip to Sydney.
St George FC Under 20 winger Matthew Macarthur had a moment he will remember with a stunning strike to reduce the deficit to 3-1
However, Newcastle winger Kota Mizonuma had the final say to end the goalscoring for the night.
Both coaches were happy with the “hit out”.
Newcastle Coach Mark Milligan was pleased with the club’s first trial.
“It’s only two weeks until our first Cup game. It was good exposure for our nine Academy players.
I want the players to take responsibility and ownership and they started to do that tonight.
I am finding ways to implement the culture I want- I want a hard-working team who are good to watch” he concluded.
Across the corridor St George Coach Fabien Miceli wasn’t concerned with the result.
“It was an opportunity to play against a higher level.
To test against the best.
The Under 20 players we had out there benefited from the experience -so too, the first graders like mid fielder Evan Souris.
The 22-year-old has now had the unique experience of playing both with and against an A League club in the last fortnight.
He trialled with Melbourne Victory against newly promoted English Championship club Wrexham FC.
It was a taste at the highest level and he loved it.
“I was happy with my performance. Now it’s a wait and see situation.” He concluded.
As for the trial against the Newcastle Jets?
‘It wasn’t too difficult.
They were well organised and very intense.
Intensity and Physicality was the difference.
Our skill level was on par with them. We all loved the experience.
Like most, I would like to one day play in the A League “He concluded.
St George FC have to “back-up” on Sunday when they are away to the improving Central Coast Mariners who are on a four-game unbeaten run, as they strive to avoid relegation from the NPL.
By Tony Peters
