Special Feature: Matt Lewis: Two seasons straight and counting

Left back Matt Lewis has been an integral part of the Blacktown City side, having played every minute of the past two seasons. Lewis puts this down to a combination of luck and consistency.
?I?ve been pretty lucky with injuries,? he said.
?I?ve stayed fit and luckily for me, ?Critto? (coach Mark Crittenden) has kept picking me!? he added.
What was looking like a strong season faded in the final few rounds, which saw Blacktown City eventually make the finals as the fifth placed team. Lewis acknowledged the difficulties that come with finishing outside of the top three.
?I thought it was a pretty good season,? Lewis said.
?We started off pretty well and we were always up there.
?Towards the end of the season though, we dropped off a bit and we ended up fifth. It makes it pretty hard in the finals,? he said.
They saw off South Coast Wolves at John Crehan Park last weekend to secure a semi-final match against Sydney Olympic this weekend.
?It was a good performance on a poor pitch,? Lewis said.
?Critto said it would be a battle and it was. But we just had to do our jobs and come away with the win,? he said.
Looking ahead to this weekend?s match at Belmore Sports Ground, Lewis said that Blacktown City were definitely a good chance of turning over last season?s Premiers and Championship winners.
?We?ve done pretty well against them,? he said.
?We?ve had two draws against them this season.
?They?re strong boys and it?s always a battle, but I know that we can beat any team in the five.
?It?s semi-final football, so anyone can win,? Lewis said.
Blacktown City have added incentive to make this season a winning one, as they farewell their captain Luke Roodenburg as the season?s conclusion. Lewis had nothing but words of praise for the Blacktown City legend.
?He?s a great captain,? Lewis said.
?It?s a huge shame that he?s retiring.
?I look up to him a lot, he?s a really great guy, too.
?He?ll be a massive loss to the club. I know he has other priorities and other interests now, but I hope he stays involved in the club in some capacity, whatever it may be,? he concluded.
Blacktown City will be looking to extend Roodenburg?s farewell by another match this weekend and if Matt Lewis puts together yet another 90 minutes, they will certainly back themselves to do the job.

-By Matthew Connellan