Seb making up for lost time
Seb Hickman has stormed to the top of the goal scoring chart. Photo: Supplied.
Nelson Suburbs centre forward Seb Hickman has stormed to the top of the Southern League goal scoring chart.
The 23-year-old struck twice in three minutes as Suburbs demolished Universities of Canterbury 7-1 at Saxton Field on Sunday.
That has given him four goals in three games, helping his team assume the outright league lead on goal differential.
“Seb’s a real target for us up front. I don’t think defenders like him because of his size (1.93 metres and 87 kilograms),” enthuses Suburbs co-coach Neil Connell.
A couple of right foot finishers is how Seb describes his goals in the 31st and 33rd minutes.
He also copped a yellow card after what he terms “a bit of a head loss moment”.
A brain injury causing headaches and seizures kept him out of the game for three years.
“I am getting back to it now. I only played six games last year and I have already doubled my goals for this season,” says the recently licensed real estate agent with KC & Co.
Open homes on a Saturday and grabbing goals on a Sunday is the ideal mix for the marketing graduate from Otago University.
“I really enjoy getting out and meeting people and hearing their stories,” says Seb.
He is expecting to have his first sale go through by the end of the month.
Unbeaten, Suburbs now travel to Dunedin on Friday, a location that brings back memories for the sharpshooter.
“I had a seizure and had to be helicoptered to Wellington.” Now he’s the one causing headaches for opposing teams with the Dunedin City Royals next on his list. The southern side has won two of its three matches, so Neil Connell is expecting tougher competition this week.
“At least we are playing on grass at Tāhuna Park [in Dunedin] and that suits us better than the turf surfaces. Hopefully there isn’t a late change of venue,” says Neil.
The Easter Friday fixture kicks off at 1pm. Suburbs will probably need another goalfest to retain its competition lead as the closest challenger, Christchurch United, is playing Selwyn United, which has already conceded 14 goals.