An Adrian Vranic hat-trick has helped Sutherland to a 3-0 win over Bonnyrigg on Saturday night.
Vranic struck in the fifth minute before scoring a 69th minute penalty. He completed his hat-trick with six minutes remaining to seal the three points for the Sharks.
The win completed a successful week for the Sharks as they advanced in the FFA Cup having downed North Shore Mariners 3-1 after extra-time. The victory came at a cost though, with Sutherland losing Nick Olsen (collarbone) and Leo Malfara (knee) to injury.
Sutherland coach Grant Lee was delighted with the result.
“It’s been a tough venue to come to after the week that we’ve had, so it was lovely to bounce back and do well,” he said.
“I thought that bit of desperation, urgency, and character, which is a big thing for us after watching our game against [Sydney United 58] when it wasn’t a 3-0 game but a really tight one lost on naivety.
“Then backing up with another 120 minutes of cup football where we got a couple of terrible injuries, then to come up here and play away from home and back it up with that kind of result was a great sign of character for us.
“This will hold us in really good stead to push us forward into this season.”
Sutherland host NPL 1 heavyweights APIA Leichhardt at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday night.