After bagging the winning goal in front of a packed-out crowd at Allianz Stadium, aleagues.com.au sat down with Sydney FC youngster Joe Lacey.
It was only a pre-season friendly but the 74th minute of the clash between Sydney FC and global sensation Wrexham AFC will live long in the memory of one particular 18-year-old footballer.
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Brought onto the field in the 63rd minute as part of a raft of changes made by Sky Blues boss Ufuk Talay, Lacey grabbed the opportunity with both hands, collecting the ball on the edge of the box before bending a brilliant curling effort into the bottom of the corner to send Allianz Stadium into raptures.
“Hectic, honestly it just didn’t feel real, to be honest,” said an emotional Lacey when sitting down with aleagues.com.au after the full-time whistle.
“It didn’t feel real because I was out there with all my mates, players I’ve known since I was nine years old, and it just was crazy.
A first senior goal aside, Lacey’s moment of magic against one of world football’s most popular teams held a special significance not just in Sydney, but in Wales as well.
“I have family in Pontyprydd, Cardiff. That’s my mum’s parents and my aunt lives near Wrexham,” laughed Lacey.
“My Aunt is a paramedic for them (Wrexham AFC) on game day, or at least used to be when they first kind of started going up through the ranks.
“It feels really strange. I mean, I’ve been to Wales a lot of times, I’ve got lots of family there. Like, it doesn’t feel real because of that.
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“I called my mum before – she’s there (Wales) at the moment to see my two grandparents. I called her before and just kind of said to her, I’m just buzzing for the game because we knew we were getting on.
“She was just like, just make the most of it. And I think we did. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without any of the boys. It’s been so surreal.”
Watched on by more than 40,000 spectators inside the ground and many more around the globe, Lacey’s match-winner came against a side who’s three-consecutive promotions have caught the attention of football fans around the world care of the popular ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries on Disney.
Naturally a fair few of those people watching are either family or friends of the Sydney teengar who’s goal is now likely to be featured in the latest season.
“I just went to the family group chat about it,” said Lacey as his phone continued to ping during the interview.
“I just saw my cousins slandering me for bringing out some tears, and they were giving it to me. They’re all English and Welsh, and they were all just hammering me for the tears!
He added: “But yeah, if there was one thing I would regret it’s the tears… but not really!”
Far from getting carried away though, Lacey admits he won’t be dwelling on the moment for too long, especially with a big game to come in three days time for Sydney’s NPL side.
“I’ve got Wanderers this week in NPL so I’ll kind of just take it one step at a time. But I’ve seen lots of my mates come through at different academies. I’ve seen my mates like Tiago (Quintal) come through do well. I mean, he’s been outstanding.
“So yeah, it’s cool, but it doesn’t really mean anything, one goal, one game.”
Whilst it is only a pre-season friendly the fact Lacey took his chance with both hands will no doubt bode well ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season, especially with Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay expected to put his trust in more youth this coming season.
“I think it’s kind of the new way of looking at football, because I think there’s a lot of talent coming out of Australia.
“A lot of good young players are doing well and getting sold overseas. It’s why our league’s been so successful over the years because they’ve trusted youth. It’s exciting times, for sure.”
