A Jordan Murray hat-trick has helped high-flying APIA Leichhardt sink Rockdale City 4-1 on Sunday, with the loss seeing the Suns drop out of the NPL 1 top five.
Tasuku Sekiya gave APIA the lead at Lambert Park before Murray struck twice to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the break.
Toufic Alameddine pulled a goal back for Rockdale 10 minutes into the second half before Murray completed his treble seven minutes from full-time.
Suns player-coach Paul Reid was still upbeat despite the defeat.
“We started off really brightly and we had a plan but they took their chances and won the game,” he said.
“It’s disappointing because I had a good feeling about tonight. We started off so brightly and were the better team but we conceded a goal when they had their first chance.
“We have conceded more goals than we would have liked in the last two weeks but we are a better team than that and getting punished for our mistakes.”
While the Suns have scored the equal second most goals (29) in the competition, they have also conceded the most goals (35).
Rockdale slipped to seventh place with the defeat. They host Manly United at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 5pm.
Rockdale are also looking forward to tomorrow’s FFA Cup round of 32 draw, where the Suns will learn their opponent for the first match of the national round.
