STAR signing Emile Heskey received most of the plaudits but Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond was hailing the performance of his exciting young wingers after the Jets' A-League win over Central Coast on the weekend.
Former England international Heskey scored one goal and set up the other as the Jets triumphed 2-1 in Saturday night's F3 derby at Hunter Stadium.
It was the big striker's second goal in as many weeks but there was plenty more to like for the Jets as 20-year-olds Craig Goodwin and James Virgili continued their excellent starts to the season.
Virgili put in the best performance in his fledgling A-League career, setting up Heskey's goal and proving a constant menace for Mariners left back Josh Rose with his pace and trickery.
"It was good to see him (Virgili) put in a performance like that," van Egmond said. "He is going to derive a lot of confidence from that, as well.
"The senior players are also feeling a lot more confident with James and they rub off on each other."
Van Egmond said the youngster was hitting his stride after a long and arduous off-season.
"It was good for young James. I was talking to Tara (White), our media person, and she said she felt sorry for him, with me screaming at him all pre-season," van Egmond said. "I'm really happy for James and he is developing nicely."
The coach was also complimentary towards Goodwin, who put in another accomplished display and hit the crossbar with a spectacular free kick.
Van Egmond was impressed with how the pair combined with Heskey and delighted with his marquee signing's progress.
Despite arriving in the country only a week before the season start, the former Liverpool striker looks to have found his stride.
"He has basically had an assist with the first goal and scored the second so we are very happy with him," van Egmond said.
Heskey won the penalty converted by Ryan Griffiths for the Jets' opener and was on the end of Virgili's work for the second.
AAP
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