Relieved Scott gets AL monkey off his back
Jan 23, 2017 - 3:59 AM Lachlan Scott's maiden A-League goal had been coming for 10 games, but the making of it stretched back much further.Campbelltown Stadium will retain a special place in the timeline of Scott's burgeoning football career.
The unlikely venue hosted his first professional goal, a brace against Wellington to win August's FFA Cup round of 32.
And after a five-month wait for another, it became the place the baby-faced 19-year-old opened his account in Australia's top tier.
A clinical finish on the stroke of halftime paved the way for Jaushua Sotirio to seal Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Newcastle, a first home win that lifted Wanderers to seventh and outside a play-off spot only on goal difference.
As teammates trickled out of the changerooms, congratulatory whistles and cheers were hurled at one of the squad's youngest members.
"Maybe it's a lucky stadium - we need to schedule a few more games here," Scott told AAP.
"Scoring had been in my head (this season).
"I was just focusing on playing my game and trying not to let it bother me, but the longer it goes on the more you start to think about it.
"So it was good I got the monkey off my back."
It's been an instructive journey for Scott, the Wollongong-born former youth-team striker whose 15 goals in 13 games last season persuaded coach Tony Popovic to promote him to the senior squad.
Thrown into the mix sooner than envisaged amid the Wanderers' well-publicised strike-force deficiencies, he's made 10 appearances including five starts, and even led the line in this month's high-profile Sydney derby.
Helping him through the gruelling initiation is the physicality and fearlessness that lurks behind the blonde hair and shy smile.
To supplement that, Popovic and his coaching staff have been sharpening the technical elements of Scott's game.
He's starting to hold up the ball more and is increasing his on-field involvement, coming out to receive service instead of restricting himself only to runs in behind.
The improvements earned him further reward on Monday, when he was selected as one of seven Wanderers players to take part in an Olyroos training camp on the Central Coast next week.
"Looking at the player I was 12 months ago to the player I am today, there's been some big changes," Scott said.
"I feel a lot better on the field, a lot fitter and have changed my diet.
"The more games I'm playing and starting - and now this goal - hopefully that brings my confidence on as well."
Source: AAP
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