Just days after making his Hyundai A-League starting debut, boom left midfielder Matthew Lewis has signed on for the yellow and navy’s tilt at the title in season six.
Just days after making his Hyundai A-League starting debut, boom left midfielder Matthew Lewis has signed on for the yellow and navy-s tilt at the title in season six.
Lewis was rewarded with his first professional contract at the beginning of this season, after starring in the Mariners- inaugural National Youth League campaign, and was named in Lawrie McKinna-s starting eleven for the first time, in Saturday-s 4-nil thrashing of defending double winner Melbourne Victory.
“I was quite shocked (to be called up), but took it on board and I was really excited,” said Lewis.
“(My teammates) kept saying how nervous I was throughout the week, but I didn-t mind, it was all good once the game started.”
The 19-year-old Blacktown junior admitted to feeling the pressure ahead of his maiden start, but those nerves obviously evaporated quickly, as he went on to put in an impressive display on the left side of midfield.
“I was pretty nervous to be honest, but once the game started all the nerves went away and I just played my game.
“Once I got my first touch everything went out of my mind and all the nerves went away. I felt part of the team, it was good,” said Lewis.
In fact, Lewis could well have marked his debut with a goal, had it not been for Victory custodian Glen Moss tipping a rasping volley over the bar shortly after half time, or a similarly impressive effort soon after narrowly clearing the crossbar.
“I surprised myself with the volley!
“It was good to have a couple of shots, I tried to be confident, and played my own game really,” said Lewis.
Lewis becomes the third current squad members to sign on for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, after Qantas Socceroo Matt Simon and former Kanwal junior and AIS product Brad Porter both committed to the yellow and navy beyond season five.
The one-year deal will keep Lewis at the club until at least the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
“It-s great news, I love it here, so it-s exciting I get to play another year here.
“It-s good that the gaffer has kept looking at me, and I just have to keep working hard now, and try to stay in the team,” said Lewis.
The Mariners- next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Perth Glory on Friday, 27 November. Kick-off is at 8:00pm. Tickets are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now on sale by clicking here
