THE new year can't come quick enough for the Newcastle Jets.
After a disastrous pre-season in which coach Carl Robinson departed, taking striker Bernie Ibini with him, and a much-needed ownership takeover fell through, the Jets made a horror start to their A-League campaign, going down 1-0 to arch rivals Central Coast at Gosford on Thursday night.
In a tight contest typical of a derby, a scrappy goal to Alou Kuol in the 43rd minute was enough to ensure the Mariners ended 2020 on a high.
It was their first triumph over the Jets in three years and third in the past 18 games between the bitter neighbours.
The visitors did everything but score an equaliser in a frenetic second half.
Twice Mark Birighitti produced miraculous saves to thwart Kosta Petratos and Angus Thurgate, while Jack Clisby made a crucial block to deny replacement Tete Yengi a tap-in.
"It wasn't the start we wanted," Deans said. "We wanted to come here and win the game. I thought we had enough goal-scoring opportunities to definitely not lose the game.
"Birris made a couple of unbelievable saves , which kept them in the game.
"I was very disappointed with the way we conceded the goal. It was from our own error than anything was created by the Mariners. It was an error in judgement which cost us big time.
"It's not all doom and gloom, I thought we played some good football at times. We had enough of the ball in good areas to get something out of the game."
It took the injection of new arrivals Ali Abbas and teenage debutant Yengi in the 70th minute to spark the Jets to life.
Until then, they had been a shadow of the team which won three of the final four games last season.
The home side had the better in the effort stakes and were rewarded. They were first to ball, their passes were crisper and they chased hard.
"The winning percentage on the duels at half-time was 64-36 to them," Deans said. "We needed to rectify in the second half which we did."
For the Jets, Valentino Yuel tried hard, Ramy Najjarine showed glimpses of class and Steve Ugarkovic was busy.
However, the Jets, who were without captain Nigel Boogaard (suspended) and Olyroos defender Johnny Koutroumbis (ankle), will need to improve if they are to challenge for the six.
Next is an assignment with Western Sydney and Robinson and Ibini at home on Friday.
In an early blow for the visitors, Jason Hoffman aggravated a calf injury in a crude challenge from Oliver Bozanic in the seventh minute and was replaced at right back by rookie Lucas Mauragis.
"I saw the reply and thought it was a pretty poor challenge, but the referees decided it was OK. It cost us a player but I thought Lucas Mauragis played really well for a left footed player. He defended well, he attacked well, he was calm on the ball and competed for every second he was on the field."
Despite the set back, the Jets had the better of early proceedings. Yuel caused havoc down the right side and the visitors found space behind a flat back four.
Angus Thurgate should have done better in the 10th minute with a first-time shot which blazed high.
The Mariners were most dangerous on the break, while Koul was a handful in the air from set pieces.
After a good spell, the Mariners were lucky not to be a goal down after the Jets fluffed a gilt-edged chance.
Najjarine released Yuel down the right. The winger drove into the box, but his cut back to an an unmarked Roy O'Donovan on the penalty spot was misdirected.
The Mariners made them pay almost immediately.
A mix-up at the at the back allowed Kuol to slide between defenders and get his head to a long ball which was allowed to bounce. His effort had enough to lob a helpless Duncan and nestle in the back of the net.
The Jets were nearly back on level terms, five minutes after the break when Petratos slid in at the back post and lunged at a Yuel cross. The ball was behind Birighitti but somehow he knocked it clear.
