Six-one down with less than half an hour to go. That's what confronted Queensland NPL team Gold Coast City in their match against Holland Park Hawks. Most teams would completely capitulate. They would collapse like a budget themepark, fold like a cocktail napkin, wither away like my ill-fated flower garden, and probably some other similes as well. But not this team. This team was about to mount a great comeback.
It all started with substitute Lyndon Dykes. Dykes scored a hattrick to help Gold Coast City tie it up, then went on to score a fourth in extra time to help Gold Coast City win 8-6 and complete their great comeback. That's seven goals unanswered from the Gold Coast club, but who the hell is keeping track anymore?
On the flip side, how did Holland Park blow a 6-1 lead? Hawks, huh? More like the Canaries. Next time I'm in a coal mine, I'll just bring one of their centerbacks along with me.
It may be preseason, it may be the Australian lower leagues, but we still feel that the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle can learn from these plucky Aussies. The Gold Coast lads didn't turn away and hide when the going got tough. They put their heads down and worked, and they probably get paid 1/100,000 of what those guys do.
And honestly, judging by their performances against Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, they could probably use a lad like Lyndon Dykes.
Want some more epic comebacks? Of course you do. How about reliving some of these gems?
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