New striker Patrick Grigg announced his arrival at Keilor Park with a sparkling two-goal, best-afield display in a 4-0 thrashing of Sydenham Park in the fourth round of the Dockerty Cup under lights at Ardeer Reserve on Thursday night.
Grigg signed for the Parkers in the off-season amid little fanfare after spending last season overseas, but the former FC Clifton Hill front man was feted by his new supporters after an eye-catching performance in the knock-out competition.
Grigg scored the first two goals inside 20 minutes and formed a lethal three-pronged attack with Lorenzo Carbone and Joshua Bruzzichessi that had the Sydenham defence on its heels all game.
Parkers president Paul Portelli was excited by Grigg’s impact so early in his time with the club.
“He’s going to prove a gem, a good find,” he told the Weekly.
“He’s a goal-poacher, a hard worker and has a bit of skill.
“He doesn’t mind making a presence, he’s a good sized player and it takes the heat off the small nimble players.”
Grigg’s first goal was a piece of individual brilliance.
“He controlled the ball inside the box, beat two defenders and coolly slotted it past the goalkeeper.
The second goal saw him latch onto a through ball and beat the keeper one-on-one.
“He looked very lively and caused the defence a lot of headaches,” Portelli said.
The Parkers had three by half time and the game was all but under lock and key.
Brandon Scerri, who made a number of marauding runs from his right back post, was chopped down in the box and received a penalty. Sean Sacco stepped up and tucked the ball home from the spot.
Carbone put the icing on the cake with a second-half goal.
The Parkers will take plenty of momentum into the state league 1 north-west season, beginning Saturday.
They will need it too, with tough home matches against Moreland City and Altona Magic in the opening two rounds.
In the Dockerty Cup double header at Knights Stadium, home club Melbourne Knights stayed true to form with a 4-0 flogging of Whittlesea Ranges, heavily influenced by two goals and an assist from Jacob Colosimo.
Green Gully Cavaliers made it a double success for the local sides with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ballarat Red Devils.
In other results, Westvale dismantled Nunawading City 7-2, Cairnlea claimed a 5-1 victory over St Kevin’s Old Boys and St Albans won 2-1 on the road at Clifton Hill.
North Sunshine Eagles beat Box Hill United 5-4 on penalties after scores were locked at 2-2 after extra time.
Western Suburbs was eliminated after a 3-2 loss to Berwick City and Sunshine George Cross suffered the same fate after a 1-0 to South Melbourne.
