Newcastle Jets 0 vs Western United 0
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton, Newcastle
PRE-GAME
Parking is plentiful in the streets around McDonald Jones Stadium with paid parking also available in the grounds at the front of the stadium. Public transport is also available if coming from Sydney or the Central Coast with Broadmeadow train station only a 1.5 km walk from the stadium.
There are a number of clubs and bars available within walking distance to the ground, as well as some local bars closer to the city who will run their courtesy bus to the ground. We can recommend Wests Leagues Club on Hobart Rd, New Lambton (a leisurely 1km stroll to the ground) or if a pub is more your scene both The General Roberts Hotel on the corner of Alma & Lambton Rd, New Lambton or The Sunnyside Tavern on Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow are about a 1.2km walk.
ARRIVING AT THE GROUND
There are two main gates that are opened for most events the larger one on the western side of the ground also houses the ticketing and services areas for purchase and enquiry while the secondary gate is positioned in proximity to the south-eastern corner and is the best access point for seats on the southern hill or the eastern (Andrew Johns) grandstand.
While for Jets games I would normally sit in the eastern stand a predicted kick off temperature of 37 degrees at 5pm we organised some seats in the upper tier of the Western Stand in Bay 66 (for a good view over the whole field at a price of $39 – good value on a hot day). Tickets can be picked up for $25 in general admission areas such as the hill or $30 for seats in the eastern stand.
The GAME
It was 90 minutes of the Jets dominating Western United without any ability to convert it into points. There was plenty of heat not just in the air but also in the actions of all the players, Josh Risdon, Nigel Boogaard and Besart Berisha to name a few found themselves in physical altercations at different stages of the match as the heat was matched by the aggression of the players.
The Jets had a absolute plethora of scoring opportunities and if it wasn’t for the work of United’s keeper Filip Kurto and inability to finish in front of goal by the Jets it had the potential to be a blow out win for the home side, however it didn’t seem to matter which of the home team it was with opportunity they would spray it wide, drill it at the keeper or in Dimi Petratos’ case somehow kick it backwards when running at a losse ball in front of an almost completely open goal.
That said after 90 minutes of football in temperatures of the high 30s neither team could break the deadlock and they split the points. It was almost relief in the end that it was over rather than the result.
A low crowd of just shy of 5,500 in a 30,000 seat stadium however didn’t do the game justice in terms of atmosphere even with a passionate group going hard in the Jets active supporter bay.
FOOD
Food and Drinks weren’t high on our priority list but we did grab some hot chips and a couple of beverages, pricing was reasonable (with a 10% discount for Newcastle Jets members) a 600ml coke, a bottle of water and some hot chips left us with change from $15.
The chips were some of the better ones I have had at a stadium recently so more than a pass mark here.
OVERALL RATINGS
Parking – 4.5/5
View – 4/5
Value – 4.5/5
Food Quality – 4/5
Food Pricing – 4/5
Atmosphere – 2/5
TOTAL – 23/30
