Christian Layland
Byron Bay Rams have climbed to the top of the ladder for the first time in this Summer Youth League season with only one match remaining.
With a 7–1 win over Eureka, the Rams have jumped above South Lismore on goal difference with both teams playing their final fixture this week. There are no finals in SYL so the team on the top of the table are declared the champions.
Going into the match against Eureka, Byron knew they needed a big win if they were to leapfrog South Lismore into the top position, and they started in the perfect way as they took the lead in the fourth minute.
Zahi Addis played a round-the-corner pass to Diego Vazquez who scored from a narrow angle. It was the beginning of an incredible night for 16-year-old Addis who finished the evening with three goals and two assists.
It was 4–0 by half time with Vasquez scoring another and Syl De Wit and Jackson Luke also getting on the score sheet.
Luke’s header was particularly impressive with the build-up featuring 16 passes before the 14-year-old finished it off with a perfect header.
The second-half was the Addis show as the striker scored his hat-trick in only eight minutes, taking his season tally to 11 goals.
Byron remain undefeated this season and take on Tintenbar East Ballina at 8pm this Friday on the Byron Memorial Recreation Grounds.
South Lismore play Goonellabah earlier in the night, so by kick-off Byron will know what they need to do to win their third consecutive SYL title.
