Simonoski sizzles with Sydney United 58

Sydney United 58’s Peter Simonoski has hit the ground running with his new club despite an injury-affected start to the campaign.

Recovering from a stress fracture to the foot suffered in pre-season, the 25-year-old has wasted no time endearing himself to the United faithful; inspiring his side to a couple of vital victories with five goals in two games.

Simonoski captured the headlines with a Round 7 hat-trick on debut against Mt Druitt Town Rangers, before backing up his impressive opening with a brace against Sydney FC at the weekend.

The Wollongong junior is no stranger to finding the back of the net in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, having notched an impressive 12 league goals last time out.

This tally led Miro Vlastelica to identify the former Wolves sharpshooter as the man to fill his side’s goal scoring void vacated by Chris Payne, who made the move to rivals APIA Leichhardt prior to the 2019 season.

Simonoski revealed that relocating to Edensor was a fairly straightforward decision.

“I personally felt as though I needed a fresh start,” he said.

“It was a big moment for me.

“Sydney United 58 are such a huge, historic club, so when they came calling it was an offer I couldn’t turn down.”

Despite his dream return from injury, Simonoski remains focused on his team’s fortunes.

“I worked hard during pre-season to try and keep fit and get back as soon as possible.

“It’s been a good start for me, but full credit must go to my teammates who pretty much put the goals on a platter.

“I just want to try and put in good performances week in week out and hopefully help the club as much as I can.

“Two wins on the bounce have been massive for our season.”

It was a busy off-season at Edensor Park, with Simonoski joined by Liam Rose and former Uruguayan youth international Sebastian Gallegos as notable incomings to replace the sizeable departures of Payne and Panny Nikas.

Both Simonoski and Gallegos found themselves in the Round 8 Ultra Football Team of the Week; a combination that is sure to excite the United faithful moving forward.

“Seb (Gallegos) has been quality for us, and he’s just come back from injury as well,” Simonoski said.

“He’s a really great player with a lot of skill, ability and experience overseas.”

With Sydney United 58 sitting third after eight rounds, four points off top, Simonoski sent out an ominous warning to the competition.

“As a team we go out every week trying to win and set our standards very high.

“We want to take everything out: Grand Final, Minor Premiership and the whole lot; going as far as we can in the Cup as well.

“We’re starting to build up some momentum now and with everyone coming back from injuries I’m sure we can step it up some more.

“That is starting to show now with a few wins that we’ve picked up and hopefully will continue to show in the weeks to come.”

United 58 with a red-hot Simonoski leading the line will prove to be a tough prospect for all opponents over the coming weeks, starting with Hakoah Sydney City East who they face at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

– By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)