Sky Blues can't weather the storm against Jets - Sydney Morning Herald

NEWCASTLE JETS 2 SYDNEY FC 2

AS IT HAPPENED

THERE was a lightning strike that severed power to the ground, intermittent sideways rain storms and a rip-roaring gale. But the only howlers that mattered to Sydney FC were the two provided by Newcastle's defense, each of which gifted the visitors a goal, seemingly sending the enigmatic Sky Blues into the top six for the first time this season.

However, after conceding a penalty on 15 minutes, 12,428 brave fans were treated to late match drama, when Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn was sent off in the 89th minute for handball on the goal-line and Ryan Griffiths calmly slotted his second penalty of the afternoon to leave the game deadlocked.

It had been 1-1 at the break after a Del Piero goal on 12 minutes, emanating from teenage Jets defender Connor Chapman being dispossessed, was cancelled just three minutes later by Griffiths.

Sydney FC pinched the lead on 56 minutes, when Blake Powell found himself on the end of another present from the Jets' defense, this time a mistake by former Sky Blue, Ruben Zadkovich. But the final twist was perhaps a fitting end to an unpredictable match.

Both squads were depleted, the Jets namely without former clubman Jobe Wheelhouse, who departed abruptly on Thursday, though Sydney FC bled more heavily without defenders Tiago Calvano and Fabio (both suspended), midfielder Brett Emerton (injured) and striker Yairo Yau, who was on international duty with Panama. Also, Sydney's new forward, Joel Griffiths - the brother of Adam and Ryan - was ruled out after receiving a three-match ban following an incident in the previous round. The absentees, however, hardly detracted from an intriguing match.

After a timid start Newcastle showed the early initiative, launching a series of raids down the right wing.

Yet, against the run of play, Sydney seized Chapman's mistake, in which he lost the ball in a tackle and the ball ricocheted to Del Piero, who placed the ball past goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.

Newcastle struck back just three minutes later, when Ryan Griffiths was brought down by Rhyan Grant in the penalty area and referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot. Griffiths scored, but not before his brother Adam was cautioned by the referee for being a nuisance, the first of three Sky Blues three yellow cards for the half.

Tempers settled and the Jets grabbed the ascendancy. A nasty rain storm passed overhead and signalled a change of tack. Del Piero was brought down about 30 metres out and, with the gale behind him, he thumped the resulting free kick towards the top left corner, where Birighitti did well to parry it away.

Del Piero was brilliant again on the stroke of half time, playing a long diagonal ball from the left sideline to the right wing, providing Terry Antonis with a one on one, which was saved by Birighitti.

The start of the second half was punctuated by Sydney FC goalkeeper coach Zeljko Kalac being banished to the stands, not long before a neatly worked move between Del Piero and Grant from a free kick ended with an Ali Abbas headed chance.

Antonis was the next Sky Blue to go into the book, but ill discipline didn't stop Sydney taking the lead. The goal went to Powell nearing the hour mark and began when McFlynn dispossessed Zadkovich, leaving Del Piero with the ball and space. Del Piero dribbled downfield, dishing off to Abbas, whose shot was parried into the path of Powell and the young striker buried the chance.

A 76th minute double change, with Zenon Caravella and James Virgili introduced, lifted the Jets. And, the key moment came in the 88th minute when McFlynn was marched for handball on the line and Griffiths equalised.