Sutherland Sharks have snapped a three game losing streak with a 4-0 win against Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday.
The visitors made the most of their attacking strength to go into halftime 3-0 thanks to a Cox double and a 45th minute finish from Lokolingoy.
Sydney FC fought their way back into the contest after the interval but it wasn’t enough with Lokolingoy claiming his second and Sutherland’s fourth of the match.
A late flurry from the home side gave fans hope of a consolation goal yet it never eventuated as the Sharks held on for the 4-0 win.
Sutherland meant business from the opening whistle and wasted no time before taking the game to the Young Sky Blues.
Teenage shot stopper Matteo Scali was forced to make back to back saves early on denying chances from Lokolingoy and Bai Antoniou.
However, it wasn’t enough for Sydney FC as Cox fired the Sharks into the lead after 11 minutes with a crisp finish from just inside the penalty area.
Benjamin Koop went inches away from equalising for the homes side with a deft chip which hit the crossbar before being cleaned up by keeper Bouzanis
A cheeky back-heel from Cox nearly doubled his tally but it was once again saved by Sydney’s young keeper
But once again Cox couldn’t be stopped as he claimed his second of the match with a brilliant half volley into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0 for Sutherland.
In the dying Seconds the Sharks made it 3-0 with Lokolingoy heading home from close range.
Sutherland had a point to prove and continued their attacking onslaught from the opening whistle of the second half.
Cox was denied his hat trick by Scali but the striker was injured during the play and was forced off the pitch.
The exit of Cox didn’t harm the Sharks attack with Lokolingoy claiming his second goal of the match when he fired home from close range after 65 minutes.
It was one way traffic with the Young Sky Blues struggling to keep pace with their more experienced opponents.
Lokolingoy went inches away from a hat-trick in the 75th minute with a header which sailed past the outstretched arms of the keeper but wide of the post.
With the result all but settled, the final ten minutes of the match were a slow procession with both sides seemingly waiting for the final whistle.
Sutherland would have one final half-chance in added time but they weren’t able to extend their advantage finishing the match 4-0 victors.
Sharks coach Terry Palapanis said the win was proof of what his side was capable of.
“We really performed well today. It’s disappointing we weren’t able to bring this level the last few weeks but its always good to get a big win,” he said.
“Charles and Coxy were clinical today and that’s what it takes to be successful in this league by making the most of your chances.
“We’ve got one more game to go so hopefully we can have a repeat of this performance next week against Rockdale.”
Sydney FC coach Jim van Weeren rued what was a tough outing for his inexperienced squad.
“It’s been a massive week for some of the boys who just returned yesterday after playing against PSG with the first team in China. Having to back up a few days later proved to be a bit much,” he said.
“We were just missing that little bit extra tonight.
“It’s been a long season but hopefully we can finish off on a high note in the final round next week.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Sutherland Sharks 4 ( Cox 12′, 41’, Lokolingoy 45′, 65’)
Saturday, 3 August 2019
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Sydney FC: 30. Matteo Scali, 3. Benjamin van Meurs, 5. Patrick Scibilio, 6. Harry van der Saag, 9. Hamish Lamberton, 12. Calem Nieuwenhof, 13.Jordan Swibel 15. Ryan Teague, 16. Paolo Bonnani 4. (Mitchell Mattison 74′), 17. Callum Talbot (2. Fletcher Mcfarlane 54’), 18. Benjamin Koop,
Substitutes not used: 14. Aaron Gurd, 78. Nectarios Triantis, 72. Philip Gigliotti
Yellow cards: Swibel 79′
Red cards: None
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 2. Quentin Cheng (19. Harry Sutherland 79′), 4. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Bai Antoniou, 8. Matteo Poljak, 9. Jeremy Cox (32. Alexander Lopez 47’), 10. Raul Beneit Romero, 12. Blair Brown (25. Brodie Clarkson 66’), 14. Charles Lokolingoy, 21. Tarik Ercan, 22. Jerry Skodatis
Substitutes not used: 18. Mitchell Evans, , 24. Dominic Brischetto
Yellow Cards: Skodatis 52’ Ercan 75′
Red Cards: None
