A third straight win has seen Brisbane Roar consolidate their position inside the Hyundai A-League top four with a 1-0 victory against the Newcastle Jets in a rescheduled Round 27 fixture at CBUS Super Stadium on Friday.
For the third time in as many weeks, Scott McDonald opened the scoring with a sublime effort in the 16th minute in what proved to be the game’s only goal.
The goal is McDonald’s fourth in the space of three games, and comes as the Roar also recorded yet another clean sheet and the a third win on the trot for the first time since 2017.
Head Coach Robbie Fowler applauded his side’s attitude following their performance.
“You always want your games to be really comfortable but I think we’ve shown plenty of times that we’ve got a little metal and we can see games out,” Fowler said.
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“As much as they had a lot of possession, they haven’t really troubled us in terms of getting shots away. Jamie Young has not had a save to make so defensively we look absolutely solid.”
The Jets didn’t put a shot on target throughout the contest with Roy O’Donovan coming closest for the visitors, striking the post in second-half stoppage time.
Fowler added that it was a “huge” three points for his side as they continue to push for a finals position with four regular season matches remaining.
“We’ve got players who are really fighting for each other and players who have lots of heart and lots of desire. That gets you by sometime in games,” Fowler added.
“Sometimes you are under the pump and then you need leaders out on the pitch. I think we’ve got a team full of real players who can stand up and at times when you’re up against it, those leaders shine through and demand a little bit of excellence from the rest of the team.”
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“All we can do is go out there and play the way we can and if that means that the likes of Scotty Mac [McDonald] are plugging away and getting goals and putting in good performances, then that’s great.
“Brad Inman’s performance today was really good today as well. The two lads in midfield – Jay O’Shea and Aiden O’Neill – were excellent as well.
“Scotty will get the plaudits because he scored a great goal again and it’s the third game running he’s scored now, but we’ve always said that it’s not about one individual it’s about what we’ve got as a team.
The Head Coach had a message for the fans following a week where support has poured in, despite the fixture being forced behind close doors.
“As much as you can’t be here in person, we know that there’s lots of people who are right behind us and lots of people who are supporting us through this difficult time.
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GOALS
Brisbane Roar – McDonald 16’ – 1-0
Scott McDonald with a moment of brilliance to open the scoring with a sublime turn and shoot from the D.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2019/20: Round 27 – Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
CBUS Super Stadium, Robina
Friday, 20 March
Brisbane Roar 1 (McDonald 16’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Half-time: 1-0
