Murray bags Man of the Match honours at Waratah Cup

It was no surprise to see APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ man of the moment Jordan Murray hit the headlines yet again in season 2018 after a fantastic performance in the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Final.

The ace marksman was in devastating form as the Tigers’ lethal striker bagged a brace and could have easily had a couple more if it weren’t for the goalkeeping expertise of Hakoah Sydney City Easts’ Anthony Bouzanis.

Taking out the Cup itself was an achievement Murray was most happy about along with clinching the Man of the Match plaudits which was a huge bonus.

“Winning the TAFE NSW Waratah Cup meant everything today for the club and us players.

“We knew it was going to be a battle against a strong Hakoah side that is known for doing very well in Cup games.

“We knew if we worked hard at training it would rub off in the game and it did.

“We also knew the disappointment last year’s Cup loss had on us and that revenge was in our minds today.

“Winning man of the match honours was a really great feeling. I’m very grateful to have received the award but I can’t go past my teammates.

“They are an awesome bunch of blokes and players and it makes my job of scoring so much easier with them.

“It’s a amazing feeling to have received this award but it’s an award that is shared by the entire team.”

The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form with a near perfect 19 competition goals in 18 NPL NSW Men’s matches, an amazing feat for any striker across the world.

The question on everyone’s lips is not if but when will Murray be given a chance to shine in the Hyundai A-League?

With a number of highly talented players running around state league competitions across the country, Murray certainly has made a name for himself and has thrown his hat in the ring for an opportunity at the big time.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers funnily enough have had a knack of producing strikers for the Hyundai A-League in recent years and if successful, Murray will be following in the footsteps of former Lambert Park’s favourite son Blake Powell who scored himself a professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix in the 2015-2016 after taking out the NPL NSW Men’s Golden Boot award with 21 goals – a stat Murray could well beat in season 2018 with four matches remaining.

The modest smiling assassin from Woonona down the South Coast has high dreams of playing in Australia’s top tier competition but understands that after taking out the TAFE NSW Waratah Cup, the next piece of silverware the club would like to get its hands on is both the Premiership and Championship as well as putting in a good run in the FFA Cup.

He has set himself targets like any good footballer should and at the rate he is traveling, there is no doubt that these goals will certainly be ticked off the list of awards to achieve for 2018.

“My objective is to stay focused and contribute to my team in anyway I can.

“Individually, I want to break the record of top goal scorer.

“I set myself targets and I try to complete them to the best of my ability.

“I also want to keep consistent as one of my targets is to play professionally.

“As a team, we need to knuckle down and focus on the tough games ahead.

“There is so much to play for, finishing first in the league a good run in the FFA Cup as well as the Championship.

“Having the taste of winning the Waratah Cup, I’m sure it’s going to spur us on to lift more trophies.”