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Local youngster makes his senior debut

The 19-year-old former Palm Beach forward was an 81^st minute substitute for fellow striker Chris Harold and did not look in the least bit intimidated by his sudden elevation to the senior ranks.

Lucas had an impressive scoring record in the local Premier League before being offered a National Youth League contract with United this term and Head Coach Miron Bleiberg had only good things to say about the impish striker.

“He’s from Palm Beach and did very well in the local competition. He’s sharp and I think he has a lot to offer. He’s done well at Youth League level and got his chance to experience senior football on Sunday,” Bleiberg said.

“Chris Harold did a good job for us but we felt he would not be able to keep it up for 90 minutes and that’s why we took Chris Lucas with us.

“I thought he did well when he came on. He was busy and certainly not afraid. It will do him good to have seen and felt what the Hyundai A-League is like.”

Sydney snatched a late winner to plunder all three points when Bruno Cazarine headed home at the death, leaving Bleiberg lamenting the loss of towering defender Ante Rozic with just ten minutes remaining.

Rozic was unwell before the game displaying similar symptoms to the stomach bug that floored Michael Thwaite during the week and was unable to continue.

Bleiberg said: “Ante wasn’t feeling well before the game and that continued through the game to half time and beyond. In the end he had to come off and he wasn’t well after the game either.

“When he was on the field I don’t think he was beaten once in the air. He was playing really well and we missed him, but that seems to be our luck at the moment.

“Of course it was disappointing but as professional sportsmen we have to forget the past and move on to the next game.”