Just days after making his first start for Central Coast, left-sided midfielder Matthew Lewis has signed a one-year contract extension with the Mariners.
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 after some encouraging performances already this year he has been assured of his spot on the list in season six of the Hyundai A-League.
“It’s great news, I love it here, so it’s exciting I get to play another year here,” Lewis said.
“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.”
The 19-year-old Blacktown junior admitted to feeling nervous ahead of his maiden start against Melbourne last week, but those nerves evaporated quickly once the game got underway.
“I was quite shocked (to be called up), but took it on board and I was really excited,” said Lewis.
“(My team-mates) kept saying how nervous I was throughout the week, but I didn’t mind, it was all good once the game started.”
“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.”
Lewis almost capped off a dream by scoring a goal, but his volley was tipped over by Victory keeper Glen Moss.
“I surprised myself with the volley,” he said. “It was good to have a couple of shots, I tried to be confident, and played my own game really.”
