OUR AUSTRALIA CUP JOURNEY CONCLUDES AT HOME IN FRONT OF AN IMPASSIONED CROWD AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
We showed plenty of promise, but our Lions Men were outclassed by an organised Western Sydney Wanderers side in a spirited clash in front of almost 2,000 fans.
It was a fast start to our momentous Australia Cup Round of 16 clash at Luxury Paints Stadium. Hosting an A Leagues side in an evening clash for the first time as a club, our Lions Men applied positive early pressure against a steady WSW side.
We kept the ball in the final third for much of the opening ten minutes, creating several improvised passages of play while trying to muster an early chance. Hassan Ramazani made a smooth sliding challenge to prevent the visitors from springing forward in transition, and we kept control of the tempo in front of a lively crowd.
Luke Broderick fought relentlessly to wrestle possession in the final third, flashing a quick pass into the path of Andy Pengelly. His shot was quickly blocked by the defender, and the Wanderers surged forward on the counter.
It was a painful early blow for our Lions. Nicolas Milanovic carried the ball forward as our defence retreated to recover our positions, and the Wanderers #14 took advantage of the space to drill an emphatic strike into the bottom right corner from distance.
Ready to give everything for the badge 🦁😤#HeartPridePassion #MagicOfTheCup #LIOvWSW pic.twitter.com/oHHnAVbvcE
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 27, 2024
Another crucial block from Hassan Ramazani, who was brilliant at evading the WSW press and breaking their lines, prevented a dangerous shot as the visitors took a steady grasp over the game.
Our Lions Men continued to press. A slicing run down the right shoulder from Jack Skinner ended with a sharp cutback to Andy Pengelly. His measured strike was cleared by the defence. Joe Duckworth came close to equalising with a clever freekick tucked neatly towards the inside bottom right corner. A desperate late save snuffed the danger, and our Lions entered the interval with a goal to chase.
𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | Incredible energy across the first forty-five.
A breakaway goal gives the Wanderers the edge, but we’re fired up in front of our home crowd 🦁
Keep the noise up in the second half, and we will keep fighting 😤#HeartPridePassion #MagicOfTheCup #LIOvWSW pic.twitter.com/c9mlFaxdie
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 27, 2024
We kicked off the second half with renewed determination. A swift and penetrating move saw James Enticknap slip the ball to Andy Pengelly behind the defence, but his sharp left-footed strike was blocked firmly by a brave goalkeeper.
Minutes later, as we committed numbers forward, the visitors evaded our offside trap. Zac Sapsford was granted the space to slip in behind, controlling an aerial pass before clipping his shot over an exposed Cardiff Pond.
We suddenly had a mountain to climb.
A stunning diving save from Cardiff Pond prevented the WSW from taking a three-goal lead after the hour mark, and minutes later, Nadir Naouri guided a bouncing left-footed strike agonisingly wide of the bottom left corner. With fifteen minutes remaining, Marcus Antonsson hooked a sharp first-time shot across the goal and into the right side-netting to make it 3-0. A deafening blow after such a hard-fought effort from our boys.
A long-range shot from Matt Ridenton ricocheted to Andy Pengelly inside the box, but his follow-up shot was blocked by a resolute Western Sydney Wanderers defence that refused to put a foot wrong.
Marcus Younis sealed our fate with a powerful strike to make it 4-0, and, after a brief break in play to deal with red flares thrown onto the fields, our Lions Men succumbed to defeat in the Round of 16.
It’s a difficult scoreline to take after such a vibrant and passionate performance. Western Sydney Wanderers showed their class, both offensively and defensively. Our Lions Men made very few mistakes, but the visitors were fiercely clinical in the final third and incredibly prepared in their defensive duties.
While our Australia Cup run concludes, we are unbelievably proud of what Darren Sime and the boys have achieved. Every single one of those boys gave everything for the badge across the course of a difficult campaign, and can leave the field proud knowing they took a shot at one of the biggest clubs in Australia.
Tonight’s attendance: 𝟏,𝟖𝟓𝟑
Spectacular. Thank you to everybody who turned out to create an incredible atmosphere.
We know the boys felt your passion throughout the entire ninety minutes.#HeartPridePassion #MagicOfTheCup #LIOvWSW
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 27, 2024
The game was played in good spirits, and the atmosphere was a beautiful sight to behold. Over 1,800 fans and members were in attendance to support us on our journey, and we couldn’t be prouder of what the boys achieved.
