Tara Murray
A 16-year-old is leading the turnaround in form for Sydenham Park in the FV state league 1 north-west competition.
After a tough start to the season, Sydenham Park moved young star Zach Lisolajski into the striker role to give them some more speed up forward.
Those three games have resulted in four wins with Lisolajski scoring nine goals.
Speaking before the weekend’s match, Sydenham Park coach Denii Lisolajski said they were now happy with how the side was sitting after being down towards the bottom of the table the first few weeks.
“For some reason the first four or five weeks we were struggling,” he said.
“The boys have now won three on the trot. Heading into the last round we were sitting third last and with the win and other results we now sit fourth.
“We’re fairly happy with where we are, but we still want to be higher. Baby steps.”
Lisolajski said they group was starting to believe in what they were doing and coming together as a team.
He said early injuries hadn’t helped either, with the side missing at least six players in the first five to six rounds.
“Early we had been decimated with injuries,” he said. “It makes a huge difference with everyone available and putting on pressure for spots.
“The boys have come together collectively as a whole team. The guys are believing in each other and what we are trying to do .
“They’re putting it on the board.”
Lisolajski said the move of his son Zach up forward was cause for excitement.
Zach made his senior debut for the club last season making an instant impact. He has taken it a step further this season, with the equal most goals in the competition.
“He is making life so difficult for the opposition,” Denii said.
“He is enjoying his football and the older blokes are looking after him. He doesn’t look out of place and the opposition clubs are targeting him.
“We will keep him up there [as a striker] as he’s so mobile and quick.”
While Zach is having an impact, his father knows that they likely aren’t going to have him in the long term.
Zach did a 12 day trial in Turkey earlier this year and has attracted a lot of interest both in Australia and overseas
“He has come back from Turkey with a fair bit of confidence,” Denii said.
“Turkey was a bit of an eye opener. The lifestyle changes and the way they operate, as they eat, breath and live football.
“They train three times a week and he realised what he had here. He was offered a contract, but we decided at this point it was best for him to stay here.”
Sydenham Park beat Brimbank Stallions, 4-0 on Saturday.
Lisolajski said the game was a ‘six-point’ game.
He said a win in this game and the next couple would really set up their season for a good run home.
