Western Sydney youngster Nicolas Milanovic scored a hat-trick to inspire his side to a 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets on Friday night – a result that snapped a six-game run of home losses for the Wanderers.
Milanovic scored twice before half-time and sealed the first hat-trick of his Isuzu UTE A-League career with a second-half penalty; Milanovic’s third made it 4-1 after a sensational Zac Sapsford strike, with a penalty scored by Jets captain Kosta Grozos coming in between the home side’s third and fourth goals of the night.
Prior to Friday night’s fixture at CommBank Stadium, the Wanderers hadn’t won at home since January; after a home loss to Adelaide United in Round 3 pressure had built on Alen Stajcic’s side to break that streak and notch their first win of the season – and they did so in style in a convincing win over the Jets.
Eli Adams scored twice in Newcastle’s last outing against Macarthur in Round 2 and the young midfielder thought he’d opened the scoring against the Wanderers on Friday night when he tucked home a close-range finish – but the offside flag put an end to Newcastle’s celebrations.
Brazilian forward Wellisol strayed past the defensive line before receiving possession and supplying the assist for Adams’ ruled-out goal.
Having survived the early scare Western Sydney ramped up their push to take the lead – and got the opening goal when Milanovic’s heavily deflected free-kick left Jets keeper Ryan Scott no chance of a save.
Eleven minutes later, the in-form Milanovic buried his second goal of the night – and having benefited from a slice of luck with the opener, there was nothing fortunate about his second.
The 22-year-old was afforded space to drive through midfield and had time to compose himself for the strike, which he buried into the bottom-right corner. Scott put a glove on the ball but couldn’t stop the shot from rattling the back of the net.
The hosts took a 2-0 lead into half-time, having bossed possession and taken 11 shots to four.
Just 10 minutes after the restart, Sapsford made it 3-0 to the Wanderers with a finish into the top-left corner.
Having beaten Jets defender Mark Natta in a battle of strength, Sapsford found an avenue to goal and took his chance with aplomb, firing over Scott to send the hosts three goals clear.
But then, the Jets were presented with a lifeline. A tackle from Jeong Tae-wook on Newcastle midfielder Clayton Taylor in the penalty box initially went unpunished but after a review on the pitchside monitor, referee Jack Morgan elected to reverse his initial decision.
Jets captain Kosta Grozos stepped up to the spot and buried his penalty into the top-right corner to pull one back for the visitors.
Newcastle’s hopes of a comeback were dashed soon after Grozos’ goal when another penalty was awarded – but this time to the Wanderers, again after a pitchside review by referee Morgan who initially saw no foul in Natta’s challenge on Milanovic in the box.
On a hat-trick, Milanovic gladly took the ball, placed it on the spot and scored to make it 4-1 to Western Sydney with his third goal capping off a memorable night for the young forward – and a big win for the hosts.
