After beginning the 2015 PS4 NPL Victoria season on the fringes of Bentleigh Greens’ first team squad, midfielder Liam McCormick has made a vital impact at Kingston Heath in recent weeks.
The Queenslander capped off an impressive month of football with a stunning 87th minute equaliser against Pascoe Vale SC on Friday night, propelling the Greens to an outright lead at the top of the NPL table.
An early goal from Davey van’t Schip gifted the hosts the advantage after 20 minutes, before McCormick’s late effort salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against a 10-man Pascoe Vale.
“We had the most possession but just could break them down,” McCormick said at full time on Friday night.
“They went down to ten men in the first half and we just had to keep plugging away. We got one eventually and then we went for the second – the winner – but it just didn’t come.”
It’s been a fruitful month for the number six after seeing out majority of the first half of the campaign on the bench.
Season one’s Football Superstar winner grabbed his opportunity with both hands after he was presented a first team berth against Avondale in round 11, stringing together a number of consistent performances since then for John Anastasiadis’ side and placing in Round 14’s Team of the Week.
“I’ve had it hard from the start of the season starting on the bench. I got my chance about a month ago, just taking it with both hands and onwards and upwards from here,” he said.
“I know the script. Every successful team needs a strong squad and if it means me starting on the bench at the start of the season, I know I’m going to have an impact with the team and if I just let my feet do the talking, I know by the end of the season ill be playing.”
Friday night’s strike made it three goals so far for the 23-year-old this season, already surpassing last year’s tally of two.
“That’s it. [I’m] just getting myself into good positions and taking my chances this year. Last couple of seasons it hasn’t fallen for me, but I’m hoping to get a few more now as well.”
Round nine’s catch-up fixture also carried a sense of nostalgia for McCormick, lining up against Football Superstar coach and mentor Vitale Ferrante.
Ferrante oversaw the midfielder’s development during season one of Foxtel’s Football Superstar, where McCormick would go on to claim first prize and a contract with A-League side Brisbane Roar.
“He did a lot for me with my career so I respect him a lot,” he said.
“I didn’t have anything to prove against him, but good to see him and good to see he’s coaching.”