Four-goal hero Matthew Sim hopes impressive haul against the Palm Beach Sharks in the Westfield FFA Cup on Tuesday night can help him cement a permanent spot in Central Coast Mariners side.
Sim came off the bench in the second half and scored four times in just 20 minutes as the Mariners won 5-0 to become the first side through to the last four of the competition.
The 26-year-old has been in and out of the first team since he signed full-time with the club midway through last season but is now eyeing becoming a regular for Phil Moss’ side.
“I got my game on the weekend (against the Newcastle Jets) and got my chance again tonight,” Sim told Fox Sports.
“I’ve got to come on and do a job because we’ve got a very good squad with lots of good attackers so we’re all pushing to get a starting spot.”
Sim’s impressive return is a just reward for perseverance, having plugged away in the NSW NPL with Manly four a number of years before finally getting his chance in the Hyundai A-League.
“I’ve been (where the Sharks are) and I would have loved to have played in a tournament like this against an A-League side and try and prove myself,” he said.
“I know what they are going through but at the same time we have to be on our game because we know it’s that type of game for them.
“You’ve got to step up to the plate. It’s definitely a lot more fast-paced these games so you have to make sure you’re up to speed.
The Mariners were on the front foot from the outset, enjoying large chunks of possession but only having Isaka Cernak’s first-half volley to show for their dominance at the break.
But Sim’s heroics, plus another superb performance from Glen Trifiro who had three assists, ensured there would be no Cup boilover on the Gold Coast.
