Joe Lacey Scores Winning Goal for Sydney FC
Sydney FC have stunned global football sensations Wrexham AFC with a fantastic 20-yard strike from an 18-year-old Academy graduate with Welsh heritage whose aunt used to work at Wrexham games.
Narrabeen Sports High School's Alumni Joe Lacey scored the match winner helping to defeat Wrexham 2-1 at Allianz Stadium in front of over 40,000 fans.
"I just put my hands into the air as soon as I heard the crowd, I'm very grateful for the opportunity... yeah, I'm just buzzing." Joe said after the match
Joe Lacey signed his first professional contract in December 2023 and secured his place at Sydney FC for the 2024/25 season for three years onwards. He is a midfielder who has been applying his trade in the NSW NPL and was named as a substitute in opening game of the 2023/24 season.
Joe joined the Academy Training Program and then the Academy and made his way through the age groups to the senior side. He attended one of the Sydney FC Academy Schools training around his school work the Sydney FC way. In 2023 he was named on the bench in the Big Blue but never got on the pitch. Twice during 2023/24 season he was on the sideline ready to make his first team debut but the FT whistle robbed him of that chance.
In early 2024 he had a stress fracture in his back that ruled him out for months. In pre-season last season he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and he was out for months. He recovered and travelled with the side to Melbourne, Perth, Wellington and Bangkok in 2024/25 and never made it onto the pitch.
On Tuesday night, July 15, he finally made his first team bow at Allianz Stadium in front of 40,000 people and scored his debut goal for his boyhood club to beat Wrexham a club that he has plenty of ties to.
The Sky Blues went behind early due to an own-goal from a left wing James McLean free-kick, before Alexandar Popovic equalised just before half time.
Lacey sealed the deal late in the second half after Head Coach Ufuk Talay brought on nine teenagers to defeat the newly promoted Welsh outfit.
Lacey was one of eleven second half changes from Head Coach Ufuk Talay, nine of whom were teenagers.
Late last year Narrabeen Sports High School's student-athletes Joe Lacey and Marin F signed professional contracts with Sydney FC A-League.
40,242 fans just witnessed a future star emerge as Joe Lacey stole the show, scoring the winning goal in the 74th minute to seal a 2–1 victory for Sydney FC!
What an incredible achievement, boys — your Narrabeen and Pittwater family is cheering every step of the way!