Heidelberg United’s returning American forward Leigh Gray isn’t one to do things in half measures.
The last fortnight has seen Gray spearhead a Warriors resurgence, grabbing two consecutive hat-tricks as her side grabbed their second and third wins of the season, launching to fifth on the NPLW ladder.
The most recent side to cop the brunt of her attacking force was Bayside United, who she helped condemned to a 4-1 loss – although they had initially gone behind at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex thanks to a Courtney Conrad goal.
“The entire team played well. We kind of slacked off at the beginning but we re-grouped after the goal and we all brought it back,” Gray said post-game.
“I think we really focused on attacking now, we’re all finally getting in the groove and connecting well with each other up top and through the midfield.”
Her treble against Bayside marked a mind boggling sixth hat-trick for the striker in 27 appearances for the club, a strike rate of one in four games.
For a more modestly talented striker, that type of strike-rate would be enviable for goals, let alone hat-tricks.
Her six-goal haul in two games makes up for a slow start for the American, who went goalless in her first five appearances; something that can be attributed to adjusting to a new system, coach and front third at the club.
“Steph [Galea] and Joey [Cartwright] are the greatest hustlers ever so it’s great to work with them,” Gray said on her teammates performances this season.
“It took a couple of games to get adjusted but they’re great players so we were able to see where each other is going to be and go forward from there.
“I’ve been playing with Jules [Nicolaci] and Michelle Verzi in the past too, so we have that connection where we know where we are going to be.
“It’s all coming together finally.”
While it was nearly two and a half years since her last spell at Olympic Village, she’s seemingly not missed a beat since her sensational 2013 WPL campaign, where she grabbed 19 goals at just under a goal a game.
That season saw Heidelberg bow out at the Preliminary Final stage; what appeared to be Gray’s final action in a Bergers kit was to grab a consolation goal in that 2-1 loss to Sandringham SC.
It was one of five goals she scored for the season that came as a single, with her other 14 coming in the form of four hat-tricks and a brace.
Gray’s ability to convert goals in multiples makes her a genuine match winner, with her hot streak of form in front of goal the product of the collective efforts of the entire team supporting her, and the trust she’s begun to build with her team.
“I guess I have [had this level of confidence in front of goals before], but it comes down to the support I have behind me,” She affirmed.
“I know that I’m going to get a great ball from the wing or through the middle and so that gives me the confidence to go forward. It all starts with the people around me.”
Looking forward, Gray believes Heidelberg’s slow start to the season may work in their favour, as they’re toiling hard in their chase of the front pack of teams.
“I think [being behind the 8-ball] always in the back of our minds.
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole a little bit but it does give us the incentive to work harder and harder each week.
“At this point, we don’t have the title to lose, we’re chasing it, so I think that gives us motivation each week as well.”
With thanks to the FFV Podcast – Listen here
Photo: Matt Johnson