EXCLUSIVE: Jamie McMaster is hungry for another crack at the Hyundai A-League as he continues on a footballing journey that has taken him from Leeds United to Lambert Park.
After a period where he readily admits to falling out of love with football, the passion is back for the much-travelled player.
The-25-year-old attacking midfielder made an instant impact as a substitute in Sunday’s NSW Premier League clash between Apia Leichhardt Tigers and Sutherland Sharks.
The former Elland Road teammate of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka slammed a shot past keeper Phillip Zabakas just seconds after entering the fray at Lambert Park. It restored the Tigers lead, the home side having earlier taken the lead with a superb free-kick from Robert Younis.
Brendan Gun hammered in a leveller before McMaster’s strike but a goal worthy of gracing the world stage rescued a late draw for the Sharks in a 2-2 draw.
A long range dipping strike from Predrag Bojic crashed into the Apia net via the underside of the crossbar – a goal of stunning quality.
Still, it wasn’t enough to wipe the smile of McMaster’s face as he takes his first tentative steps back on the road to professional football again.
McMaster, who had a spell with the Central Coast Mariners during season two of the A-League, wouldn’t rule out a return to Gosford. But then whether it’s Bluetongue, the SFS, Perth or Wellington, he is ready to do a job for an A-League coach.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I knew I was only going to get half an hour or so in the game. I’ve been out of the game for about year and a half now.
“That was my first goal, my first football, since my time at the Mariners. I left and went back to England to do some travelling with my mates. I’d sort of lost interest in the game there for a bit.
“But I’m back now and wanting to get back into it. John (Romeo) has been nice enough to get me down here and get some games and build my fitness back to where it should be.”
Apia Leichhardt is great for now but McMaster wants to step up to the big stage. “The A-League? For sure, for sure.
“Because I’ve been out of the game for that long, I’ll take anywhere. I’d go to the Mariners, to Sydney, I’ll just go where I have to go to try and get back to where I was," he said.
The-25-year-old attacking midfielder made an instant impact as a substitute in Sunday’s NSW Premier League clash between Apia Leichhardt Tigers and Sutherland Sharks.
The former Elland Road teammate of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka slammed a shot past keeper Phillip Zabakas just seconds after entering the fray at Lambert Park. It restored the Tigers lead, the home side having earlier taken the lead with a superb free-kick from Robert Younis.
Brendan Gun hammered in a leveller before McMaster’s strike but a goal worthy of gracing the world stage rescued a late draw for the Sharks in a 2-2 draw.
A long range dipping strike from Predrag Bojic crashed into the Apia net via the underside of the crossbar – a goal of stunning quality.
Still, it wasn’t enough to wipe the smile of McMaster’s face as he takes his first tentative steps back on the road to professional football again.
McMaster, who had a spell with the Central Coast Mariners during season two of the A-League, wouldn’t rule out a return to Gosford. But then whether it’s Bluetongue, the SFS, Perth or Wellington, he is ready to do a job for an A-League coach.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I knew I was only going to get half an hour or so in the game. I’ve been out of the game for about year and a half now.
“That was my first goal, my first football, since my time at the Mariners. I left and went back to England to do some travelling with my mates. I’d sort of lost interest in the game there for a bit.
“But I’m back now and wanting to get back into it. John (Romeo) has been nice enough to get me down here and get some games and build my fitness back to where it should be.”
Apia Leichhardt is great for now but McMaster wants to step up to the big stage. “The A-League? For sure, for sure.
“Because I’ve been out of the game for that long, I’ll take anywhere. I’d go to the Mariners, to Sydney, I’ll just go where I have to go to try and get back to where I was," he said.
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