An emphatic performance from our Lions Men saw them deservedly eliminate A-Leagues outfit Perth Glory on penalties in the Australia Cup Round of 32
With a chance to make club history in the Australia Cup, our Lions Men kicked off against Perth Glory in a rematch of our 2015 Round of 16 clash.
An early blow saw Alex Fiechtner withdrawn with a dislocated shoulder. Despite the setback, our Lions Men looked sharp in front of a lively home crowd at Spencer Park. Luke Broderick forced an early diving save with a lethal effort across the keeper, and moments later beat his man to win a corner!
Tommy Jarrard saw an authoritative header saved after an excellent corner delivery from Rahmat Akbari, and Jackson Hart-Phillips forced a fingertip save with a ruthless effort from the edge of the box. With all of these chances falling across a rampant opening thirty minutes, Mitch Hore and Luke Broderick were both denied before Mitch again saw a close-range effort tipped awkwardly over the crossbar. After Luke Broderick’s late effort missed the mark by inches, and we entered the break level despite a completely dominant start.
The second half saw Perth Glory start on the front foot, but within ten minutes our Lions Men had adjusted and re-established control. Mitch Hore unleashed from distance, and Rahmat Akbari saw another effort blocked for a corner.
Jerson Lagos slotted inside and stung the keeper’s palms with a powerful strike, and the second half ended goalless in Newmarket.
Again, we wasted no time after the restart looking for the opener. Finn Beakhurst and Blair Ponting both came close, and then in the 97th minute Jerson Lagos cut inside and curled a beautiful strike into the top left corner to break the deadlock!
95′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
JERSON LAGOS PICKS THE TOP LEFT CORNER WITH A BEAUTIFUL CURLING STRIKE 🤯🚀
🟠🔵 1 – 0 🟣🟠#HeartPridePassion | #AustraliaCup | #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/5au8EbpQpE
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) July 21, 2026
Shaun Carlos nearly doubled our lead moments later, and Jerson Lagos missed the target with a venomous volley. Blair Ponting forced a diving save with an excellent effort, and we entered the break leading.
Rather against the run of play, Perth found their equaliser quickly after the restart.
A few clear chances fell our way, and Finn Beakhurst found the would-be-winner in the 120th minute, but was denied by the offside flag.
It was penalties to decide our fate.
Shaun Carlos stepped up first and buried his spotkick, before a brilliant diving save from Jacson Riley gave us the advantage. Jerson Lagos made no mistake, and once again Jacson Riley made a key save. Finn Beakhurst’s strike was successful, and Tommy Jarrard stepped up to make history, rattling the winning strike into the top right corner!
Incredible scenes as our Lions Men defeated an A-Leagues opposition for the first time in our history. A thoroughly dominant performance from Dan Barber and the boys, and a famous night for the club!
MATCH DETAILS:
Hahn Australia Cup: Round of 32
Lions FC 1 (4) – (2) 1 Perth Glory
Goalscorers:
Jerson Lagos 97′
𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀’𝙎 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘾𝙐𝙋𝙎𝙀𝙏 🔥
History made! An incredible night for our Lions Men. Heart. Pride. Passion. A fearless, powerful, and dominant display against an A-Leagues giant.
We progress, our way 🦁#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/iF5ccNIyuU
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) July 21, 2026
