History made in the Australia Cup as our Lions Men advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in history with a win over 1,700 supporters in attendance
With the chance to make history in the Australia Cup, our Lions Men once again found ourselves facing A-Leagues opposition.
It was a sharp start for Melbourne City, with Jacson Riley twice forced to make a diving save to prevent a glancing header from finding the back of the net.
As our Lions Men began imposing ourselves on the game, Zane North forced a save at the bottom left corner after attacking the space! Blair Ponting’s back-post header missed the right side of goal by millimetres, and moments later he saw a half-volley saved by the keeper at the near post!
Then, incredibly, a calamitous error saw the keeper miscontrol a pass back before accidentally poking it over the line as he attempted to gain control.
21′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Perhaps the worst own goal in #AustraliaCup history. The keeper takes a backwards touch and then accidentally miskicks the ball into his own net.
🟠🔵 1 – 0 🔵🔴#HeartPridePassion | #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/tDT8xH22yk
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) August 11, 2026
A series of chances followed, with Blair Ponting slicing inside and drilling a lethal effort millimetres shy of the bottom right corner. With a strong half behind us, we entered the break ahead.
A quick start, and Mitch Hore missed the mark by inches with a powerful effort that missed the far post by inches. Rahmat Akbari forced a diving save, and as we cross the hour mark, Luke Broderick’s run off the shoulder opened space, with his cutback finding Mitch Hore to score our second!
62′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
GET IN MITCH HORE LETSGOOOO 🔥🔥🔥
🟠🔵 2 – 0 🔵🔴#HeartPridePassion | #AustraliaCup | #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/tlSty0WtmO
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) August 11, 2026
Mitch Hore almost found his second, and Jerson Lagos saw a powerful first-time effort saved. A great run from Luke Broderick ended with a sharp strike over the crossbar, and our Lions Men stayed in control to see out a phenomenal 2-0 victory at Spencer Park.
Congratulations to Dan Barber and our Lions Men on making history, and to the wonderful supporters who helped us secure back-to-back wins over A-Leagues opposition.
MATCH DETAILS:
Australia Cup: Round of Sixteen
Lions FC 2 – 0 Melbourne City
Goalscorers:
Own Goal 21′
Mitch Hore 62′
𝙒𝙀 𝙈𝘼𝙆𝙀 𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 🤩
A beautiful performance sees our Lions Men progress to the #AustraliaCup Quarter Finals for the first time in our history 🦁
Thank you to our incredible supporters for creating another magical atmosphere 👏#HeartPridePassion | #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/IsyjQMUU67
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) August 11, 2026
