He stole all the headlines in Sydney FC’s barnstorming 5-0 round nine victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers last weekend but the scary signs are there that 19-year-old defender Thomas Fay can only get better.
Scoring a memorable hat-trick, his first ever in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, the former Wakehurst FC junior was elated with how his squad went about their business by not only winning the match, but doing it in style at a cold and windy Popondetta Park in Sydney’s West.
“It was a great win especially coming off the back of some tough results, the boys showed how good we can play and the true potential that we possess.
“On a personal note, I was stoked to get 3 goals too and most importantly win the game. I quite enjoyed the opportunity to play more forward which I’m quite comfortable with as I play a lot of my game in the attacking third from left back.”
Fay brought back the years he once played as a number ten before switching his position to left back but his attacking ability was there for all to be seen as he played an integral role in the Sky Blues’ big win.
It’s been a solid year for Fay and his teammates, backing up from a successful National Youth League campaign, Sydney FC have been one of the success stories in the rebooted NPL NSW Men’s competition.
The likes of names such as current Golden Boot leader Patrick Wood, Antonio Saracino, Callum Talbot, Levi Kaye, Patrick Yazbek, Scott Browning, Thomas Main as well as Benjamin Koop, Jake Hollman and Jordi Swibel have all proven to be quote a handful for rival NPL NSW Men’s opposition.
“The season so far has obviously been a bit crazy, but I think everyone has been buzzing to get back into it after COVID.
“We have come into the season off a successful NYL campaign and had some quality results before the break.
“We all worked very hard during the time off and pushed ourselves so when we came back we were ready to go and this has slowly shown, we have really enjoyed playing in the top flight in NSW.
“On a personal level, I have just been working hard on and off the field to get better each week and like most young players, I’m working towards making the step up into the senior A-League environment.
“I just want to focus on consistently performing well for the remainder of the season and hopefully through to the finals.”
Currently sitting in fifth position a point outside the top four, Fay knows this Sunday’s massive blockbuster round ten clash against the highly fancied and 2019 Premiers Wollongong Wolves at the Illinden Sports Centre is a must win if they have any chance of playing finals football for the first time in its NPL NSW Men’s history.
“Wollongong Wolves this Sunday will be a good contest; they have some quality players on their roster and we need to be on our game to ensure we achieve a positive result.
“It’s a must win for us to have a shot at making our first ever NPL NSW Men’s top tier finals series which is very important to us so the boys will be ready to go.”
Sydney FC’s young and ambitious coach Jimmy Van Weeren is no stranger to the former Australian youth international’s ability.
Fay stated to Football NSW that he and the boys have really enjoyed his coaching methods and are hoping to repay him with a finals series finish.
“Jimmy has been great, he pushes us everyday at training to continue to work harder along with the other coaching staff.
“I have been coached by Jimmy for a while now since I was quite young, and he has helped me grow as a player.
“Jimmy’s put a lot of trust in us to perform each week, especially with some of the younger boys coming in the squad and its up to us as players to repay him for his faith which we all want to do.”
