Sydney FC’s PlayStation 4 NPL NSW 2 Men’s first grade went on another goal scoring spree to record a 7-4 win against Bankstown Berries at The Crest Sports Centre on Saturday.
In wet and slippery conditions the Sky Blues notched their seventh consecutive victory in a goal fest that saw seven goals in the first forty five minutes.
Sydney FC took an early lead in the 7th minute when in form striker Charles Lokolingoy flicked in the opener from a Bai Antoniou assist, before Bankstown hit back only minutes later from a header at a corner kick to make it 1-1.
Lokolingoy was again on target after 26 minutes with a curled shot into the roof of the net for 2-1 while strike partner Antoniou made it 3-1 just a minute later and Sydney FC seemed to be cruising.
The Berries then had their “minute of madness” as the Sky Blues were caught napping on two free kicks and it was 3-3 with just over half an hour of play.
Sydney FC regained their composure and the ascendancy just before half time as that man Lokolingoy completed his hat trick to edge the youngsters in front 4-3 at the break.
The second period was dominated by Sydney FC who looked threatening at every opportunity however it was the Berries that scored first to again level the scores and make it 4-4.
Antoniou steadied the ship in the 75th minute with a left foot screamer into the top corner for 5-4 before the hard working midfielder Chris Zuvela slotted home to make it 6-4 following some nice combination play on the edge of the penalty with Daniel Araujo.
The Sky Blues could even afford to miss a penalty as Max Burgess saw his spot kick saved by the Bankstown keeper after 82 minutes as Antoniou completed the goal scoring on the night in the final minute to also grab a hat trick when he was first to react to a parried shot to finish at 7-4.
Head Coach, Rob Stanton, was quietly please with the win but not with the four goals conceded.
“It was a heavy track tonight and the boys had a tough training week as well” he said.
“We will look at the game and see where we can improve but to win seven in a row and score 14 goals in the last two matches is a good achievement.”
Sydney FC retains top spot on the Club Championship following another clean sweep of all the grades with the U20’s winning 5-0 and the U18’s winning 4-1.
Sydney FC 7 (Lokolingoy 3; Antoniou 3; Zuvela 1) defeated Bankstown Berries 4
This Saturday the Sky Blues are back at home where they meet the Branko Culina coached Fraser Park at Lambert Park (kick off 7:45pm).
Sydney FC Line Up: Mitch Evans (GK); Nicola Kuleski; Patrick Flottmann (Liam McGing); George Timotheou; Cristian Gonzalez; Yianni Spyrakis (C); Daniel Araujo (Aaron Avery); Chris Zuvela; Bai Antoniou; Max Burgess (Brendan Curtis); Charles Lokolingoy
Subs Not Used: Duro Dragicevic (GK); Mani Gonzalez
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