IT’S PARADISE IN PERTH AS OUR LIONS MEN FIGHT BACK UNDER HEAVY RAIN TO DEFEAT PERTH REDSTAR IN THE AUSTRALIA CUP ROUND OF 32
A late first-half double and two stunning goals after the break saw our Lions Men storm the hosts and secure their place in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 victory!
The weather painted a grim picture in Duncraig. Heavy sheets of rain fell over the pitch while a dense fog threatened to delay the start.
Cardiff Pond was forced to make an immediate save at his near post as both sides tested the conditions and adapted to the weather. We brushed off the cold and started to control the tempo as the rain eased. The wind refused to back down, however.
We won several corners before Shaun Carlos conjured our most exciting chance of the game. Following a fine cross into the box from Jackson Hart-Phillips, Carlos saw an audacious volley blocked quickly by the centreback.
Despite our composed start under un-composed wind, it was the hosts who drew first blood. Pouncing on a defensive error, Matthew George squeezed a quick shot Hassan Ramazani the post to break the deadlock.
We looked set to enter the break behind before a stunning dribble and sweeping cross from Shaun Carlos was parried into the path of Andy Pengelly at the back post. As always, Andy made no mistake, swiping the loose ball into the back of the net to level the score.
40′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Andy Pengelly restores parity in Perth 🔥
A sweeping cross from Shaun Carlos, and Andy arrives at the back post to score the equaliser!!!
𝐏𝐑𝐒 1 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) July 31, 2024
Five minutes into stoppage time, Jake Bulla Minett rose at the near post to guide a glancing header inside the left post following an arcing Finn Beakhurst corner. We seized the lead with the final touch of the first half.
45+5′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Jake Bulla Minett guides a glancing header inside the near post!!!
We seize the advantage with the final touch of the first half!!!
𝐏𝐑𝐒 1 – 2 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) July 31, 2024
Heavy rainfall resumed during the break, and we kicked off the second half with a storm above us. On the pitch, our Lions brought the storm. Our energy picked up in the second half. We looked sharper, more fired up, and more reactive in our attacking movements. We applied early pressure while defending with resolution.
Joe Duckworth made the kind of slide tackle that every player dreams of making in the rain to prevent a dangerous counterattack before a piece of art from Luke Broderick provided relief and confidence. Our cross from the corner volleyball-ed around the box under command from the wind before Shaun Carlos sent a smart header into the centre of the box. Luke rose acrobatically, hooking the ball into the bottom right corner with an overhead motion. A beautiful goal to double our advantage.
58′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
It’s footballing artwork from Luke Broderick 👌
Off the bench with a stunning overhead kick, and our Lions are on fire in Perth 🔥
𝐏𝐑𝐒 1 – 3 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) July 31, 2024
Luke Broderick came close to putting the game to bed ten minutes later, making a brilliant run off the shoulder before dropping his defender with an elegant cut inside and rolling the ball around the keeper to create space. Unfortunately, his touch to beat the keeper rolled out of play before he could shoot.
We signed & sealed our progression to the Australia Cup Round of 16 through Alex Fiechtner. In trademark rhythm, Alex cut inside sharply onto his left before gracefully guiding a curling shot into the left side netting with finesse. The shot was so well-struck that it appeared to travel in slow-motion.
71′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Alex Fiechtner with his trademark beauty 👏
Alex cuts inside and gracefully guides a trademark shot into the left side netting with finesse 👌
𝐏𝐑𝐒 1 – 4 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) July 31, 2024
Our Lions Men showed courage and conviction to lock up defensively and control the tempo for the remaining twenty minutes. Under the wind & the rain, our Lions Men earned their progression with a famous performance in Perth.
A sweeping 4-1 victory in Duncraig and a remarkable display under uncomfortable conditions. Congratulations to Darren Sime and the boys on a brilliant achievement. Across the span of seven days, Darren and our Lions Men have competed in a Queensland Cup Semi-Final away from home, a Kappa Pro Series Grand Final away from home, and an Australia Cup Round of 32 away in Perth. They won all three in brilliant fashion. A remarkable achievement that reflects the character, passion, and heart this team possesses.
Congratulations, and safe travels home!
MATCH DETAILS
Australia Cup Round of 21
Lions FC 4 – 1 Perth Redstar
Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig
40′ Andy Pengelly
45+5′ Jake Bulla Minett
58′ Luke Broderick
71′ Alex Fiechtner