Double blow for Jets with injury and defeat
NEWCASTLE Jets were dealt a double blow yesterday.
Not only did they go down 3-0 at home to bottom club Wellington Phoenix, but they lost back-up keeper Mark Birighitti to a suspected fractured cheekbone following a clash with former Jet Jeremy Brockie.
It was Brockie who was the hero for the Kiwi side at Hunter Stadium with a goal in each half.
English veteran Paul Ifill sealed the win with a late penalty as Wellington bounced back from three straight A-League losses.
Birighitti suffered the injury in the second half - he denied the Phoenix star a goal, but unfortunately he also collected the striker's knee in his face.
Birighitti did not move for several minutes and was attended to by doctors.
His injury could prove a problem for coach Gary can Egmond, who is already without No.1 stopper Ben Kennedy with a long-term knee injury.
Matthew Nash replaced him for the final 25 minutes.Wellington will stay in Australia to prepare for its next game against Perth Glory in Western Australian on Saturday night.
