TEENAGE sensation Archie Goodwin is not the answer to the Newcastle Jets' goals scoring woes - not immediately anyway.
Goodwin provided a spark off the bench in the second half of the Jets' 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium.
It was home-grown striker's fifth appearance this season - the longest stint in his previous cameos had been 15 minutes.
"I thought Archie did OK," coach Craig Deans said. "He didn't create anything clear-cut but he caused some problems with his speed and his runs in behind. They had to make a couple of fouls or he might have been on goal. He did OK but we will keep working with him to help him get better."
The Jets have scored 19 goals in 23 games and are on track for their worst yield on record.
Aged just 16, Goodwin's best is way ahead of him. Former Socceroos midfielder James Holland holds the record as the Jets' youngest goal-scorer at 18 years and 152 days old.
Goodwin has almost two seasons to take that record.
The fact Deans went with the tyro ahead of more seasoned strikers Valentino Yuel and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos may be a pointer to the future.
"Val has had a lot of game time this year and had some opportunities in the past few weeks to score goals and hasn't been taking them," Deans said. "We need to start looking at what else is available. Tonight was a chance to have a look at Archie and I thought he did OK."
Goodwin and fellow teenager Blake Archibold are on scholarships at the Jets and are getting used to the rigours of professional football.
"Archie is still learning his craft," Deans said. "He had some good moments and once he gets a bit more comfortable in that environment ... he has potential at this level.
"The difficult thing with Archie is that he has history with some injuries. It is a matter of trying to build up his tolerance to training to start with. He is only 16. He is injury free now for the first time in a little while.
"Hopefully he can get some more minutes before the end of the season."
The defeat to the Roar - from two deflected goals - stretched the Jets' winless run to 14 games.
Apart from avoiding the wooden spoon, there is little at stake besides pride in the final three games against runaway premiers Melbourne City (away), the Central Coast (a) and Perth (home).
With left wingback Connor O'Toole and midfielders Ramy Najjarine and Luka Prso departing on Wednesday to Spain for an Olyroos camp, Deans will blood some teenagers.
Lucas Mauragis replaced O'Toole at half-time against the Roar and had a positive impact.
"Archie and Lucas bring a lot of energy," Deans said. "They are young, they are enthusiastic and bought that in bucket loads. Their endeavor to take the game forward was really good. With these younger ones, it's working on the quality and composure in key moments.
"Blake Archbold was on the bench. He is a chance to play some minutes ... we may as well have a look at some of the younger boys who are coming through the academy and youth set up and see where they are at in this level.
"We will continue to work hard every week. We want to finish the season as strong as we can and win some games between now and the end of the season."
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