Since joining Bankstown City in round 9, Susan Phonsongkham has been unstoppable, and is already the team’s leading goal scorer in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Competition.
After a strong season with Perth Glory in the A-league Women’s competition, Phonsongkham says she is excited to come home and take on a big attacking role with Bankstown.
“It’s great to be back home and getting regular game time.”
The 22-year-old is also very grateful for the opportunity to move to the club after previously playing for Sydney Olympic and the Football NSW Institute.
“The environment and the coaching there [at Bankstown City] is really good.”
Phonsongkham admits she wasn’t certain if she would play in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition this season, after a successful stint overseas with Icelandic side Knattsprynufélag Reykjavíkur (KR) in last year’s A-League Women’s off-season.
However, the opportunity to play as a striker at a club close to home was a big drawcard to her signing with Bankstown City.
“In the A-League Women’s, I’ve played a lot as a winger and in the midfield, but playing as a striker, it’s completely different.
“Knowing that I’m playing striker, my main goal is to score in each game.”
Although she may not have scored in every game, Phonsongkham has netted 9 goals in just 8 games, topping the list of goal scorers at Bankstown City.
She is no stranger to goals in this competition, having won the Golden Boot award in 2019 playing for Sydney Olympic, a season where she scored 20 goals.
Bankstown are coming off an impressive 3-2 win which saw them become the first team to defeat ladder leaders APIA Leichhardt this season.
Phonsongkham shone for the Lions, scoring 2 goals within the first 5 minutes to help secure the victory.
It was a great outcome for the team, who at times this year have struggled to win games. Despite only 2 losses on their record, they have had 8 draws in their 2023 campaign.
Phonsongkham believes the key to turning those draws into wins is being able to finish off chances in front of goal.
“We need to be clinical with the opportunities we create.
“I think those draws aren’t the negative side of things because we didn’t lose the game, we just drew.”
Phonsongkham is hoping that the team can finish the season strongly and be pushing for a spot in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s finals, which would be the first time for the club.
“I just want to do well for the team and do what I can to help them make the finals.”
-By Annabelle Banfield
