Sydney FC’s PlayStation 4 NPL NSW 2 Mens first grade turned in an emphatic performance as they thrashed Macarthur Rams 7-0 at Lambert Park on Saturday night to record their sixth consecutive win of the season.
Macarthur were buoyed from snatching a point against the Western Sydney Wanderers the previous week and set out with a similar 5-4-1 line up in an effort to stifle Sydney FC from the outset.
This enabled Sydney to enjoy possession for long periods as they shifted the opposition across the park trying to find the opening.
The Sky Blues patience was eventually rewarded in the 33rd minute when Bai Antoniou found space out wide and cut into the penalty area to lay the ball into the path of Charles Lokolingoy. He took the ball in his stride and let fly with a shot on target which deflected off the chest of a defender into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The goal was adjudged to be an own goal by the referee but Lokolingoy didn’t have to wait long to record his name on the scoresheet, as a clever one-two with Daniel Araujo on the edge of the box put the big striker through on goal to make it 2-0 just before the break.
The second half was all one way traffic as the Sky Blues totally dominated the Rams in every aspect on the park.
Within two minutes of the resumption Lokolingoy was again on hand to punish Macarthur following some enterprising build up play by Sydney FC to push the margin to 3-0 after 47 minutes.
Macarthur were on the back foot and their task was made even more difficult when a testing cross from Yianni Spyrakis was headed in for another own goal as Sydney skipped away to lead 4-0 in the 49th minute.
The Sky Blues were relentless and kept the pressure on Macarthur at every opportunity with a high intensity defensive press causing Macarthur to constantly turnover possession.
Chris Zuvela worked tirelessly in the midfield and set up the fifth when he played in Araujo who in turn put through Antoniou on the goal. Antoniou’s effort struck the base of the post and rebounded to Araujo who finished with aplomb to make it 5-0.
The goal of the night saw Sydney FC at their best when the ball was shifted from left to right then down the flank before being squared to Max Burgess to smash home the sixth goal. It was delightful play which combined a dozen passes with good player movement to open up the opposition.
In the 85th minute Lokolingoy bagged his hattrick when he headed home a precise cross from Cristian Gonzalez to wrap up the scoreline at 7-0.
Head Coach, Rob Stanton, was very pleased with the way his players performed on the night.
“Despite the scoreline Macarthur were difficult to breakdown but when we did get in behind them we were ruthless in front of goal,” he said.
“We continue to build momentum into the season and the squad is developing and evolving well.”
It was another clean sweep in terms of Club Championship points with the U18’s winning 3-1 and the U20’s winning 3-0 securing the full compliment of 21 points to keep Sydney FC on top.
Sydney FC next face Bankstown Berries at The Crest Athletic Centre, McClean Street, Bass Hill on Saturday 23 April (kick off 7pm).
Sydney FC 7 (Lokolingoy 44’/47’/85′; Araujo 55′; Burgess 66′; OG 33′; 49′) defeated Macarthur Rams 0
Line Up: Mitch Evans (GK); Nicola Kuleski (Brendan Curtis); Patrick Flottmann; George Timotheou; Cristian Gonzalez; Yianni Spyrakis (Aaron Avery); Daniel Araujo; Chris Zuvela (Matt Green); Max Burgess; Bai Antoniou; Charles Lokolingoy
Subs Not Used: Duro Dragicevic (GK); Tom Slater
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