'Didn't feel real' - Sheffield United hat-trick hero Sydie Peck reacts to 3-2 win over Preston North End
Peck describes his second goal against Preston as a ‘worldie’ after scoring fantastic solo effort
Sheffield United hat-trick hero Sydie Peck has said ‘it didn’t feel real’ after scoring his first career hat-trick as United beat Preston North End 3-2 at Deepdale.
United went 1-0 down in the opening minutes due to sloppy defending, leaving Preston midfielder Leo Leroy with plenty of space to pick his spot and send his side into the lead.
After controlling possession, the Blades were finally rewarded with a fortunate goal in the 27th minute that was undoubtedly an intended cross, despite Peck joking ‘he meant it’. To everyone's surprise, though, the ball floated over everyone and bounced into the net.
The England under-21 international bagged another only 10 minutes later- this time a definite intended shot on goal after the midfielder worked to create a shooting angle for himself with the Lilywhites’ goalkeeper left in no man's land and Peck found the top right corner from range.
The hat-trick was sealed just over 20 minutes later with a tap-in from close range after Romelle Donovan put it on a plate at half-time.
Peck said at full-time: “It didn't feel real, if I'm honest. It happened so quick. Obviously, I've scored a goal before, but two is new to me, and then next thing you know, I scored the third. So yeah, buzzing with the win as well and obviously contributed with three goals.
“There's things that we'll reflect and things we can do better but we'll take the win and that was the main thing today and we'll build onto the weekend.”
“It was a poor start to the game; we knew that. We needed a reaction, and that happened and then obviously scored three, didn't I?”
The 22-year-old had chosen to ignore his teammates during the build-up for the second goal before deciding to take the shot himself.
“I've seen TC [Tom Cannon], seen Chongi [Tahith Chong] screaming for the ball and then it's an absolute worldie, isn't it?”
“Yes, it was special. It was my first hat-trick, obviously done it in the first half. Yeah, special, special. I'll have a smile on my face for a few days, until probably Thursday, and then zoning in again for the game on Saturday,” he added.