Jamie Maclaren.
The Melbourne City talisman stands alone in the Isuzu UTE A-League after making history in Monday’s 3-1 win at Wellington Phoenix on Monday.
Maclaren became the first player in league history to score in nine consecutive matches after bagging a brace to lead leaders City past the Phoenix at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
The reigning Golden Boot holder and current leader took his season tally to 12 goals as the Socceroos forward etched his name in the history books.
“It’s huge,’ Maclaren told Sky Sports NZ of the achievement.
“Obviously the last person who held that was [ex-Perth Glory striker] Andy Keogh, my former team-mate. He is a quality striker.
“To do nine is nine, it’s special for me and my family. It’s credit to the boys behind me who give me the service like Andy did.”
Maclaren is on track to become the all-time leading goalscorer in A-League Men history.
The 29-year-old has 132 goals to his name in the competition, with Besart Berisha’s record of 142 well and truly in sight.
“The harder you work, the luckier you get and you get these breaks,” Maclaren added.
“But we have a quality side. Whether they start or come off the bench. That’s what we’ve built the last few years. I’m happy here.
“When you score goals, it breeds confidence. Lecks [Mathew Leckie] scored a great header as well today.
“We’re firing at the moment but today’s win goes down to the defence and Tommy Glover.”
Leckie: It’s the culture of the club
Melbourne City are the reigning premiers. They’re also top of the table, with just one defeat in nine matches.
City, even after head coach Patrick Kisnorbo’s move to Ligue 1 outfit Troyes, continue to be the benchmark of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
For the first time this season, City came from behind to see off the Phoenix.
Mathew Leckie cancelled out David Ball’s spectacular opener, before Maclaren took over for City.
Asked about the continued drive and consistency of City, Socceroos star Leckie said: “It’s the culture of the club and drive we have.
“We have a great squad. There’s a few players who aren’t playing on the bench and are just as good. The pressure is on players to always perform or else there’s rotation.
That was the first time this season we’ve fallen behind first, and it shows the mentality of the boys to get back into the game.
“Playing in Wellington is really tough so to get three points here is massive.”
On the game itself, Leckie added: “We were buzzing after the third goal. Wellington were putting a massive amount of pressure on us. They’re a good side at home and we knew it was going to be tough.
“It’s a tricky team to play against. They flood the midfield… credit to them. We were lucky that our backline and Glover were on fire today. Just relieved at the end.”
