Lions FC 2 (Knight 44′, 51′)
The Gap 0
HT 1-0
A double for Whitney Knight either side of half time proved enough for Lions as they earned their fourth straight win with a 2-0 defeat of The Gap on Easter Monday.
A depleted Gap side made the Lionesses work hard for their win though in what was a less than polished performance from Rob Askew’s troops.
Despite her brace, Knight was guilty of wasting a couple of guilt edged opportunities with her first coming on 10 minutes after winning the ball off a Gap defender and with the whole goal to aim at, she skied her shot well over.
Knight should have made Gap pay on the half hour when linking up with Tegan Riding for another clear sight of goal, but again her effort sailed well over Gap keeper Tierney Sunderland’s goal.
The visitors were working hard to repel their hosts and forays on Lions keeper Cassandra Zaffina’s goal were rare, but on 37 minutes she was forced into a fall stretch grab to prevent Kaitlyn Winter’s cross from reaching a team mate with the goal gaping.
With the half drawing to a close, the home side finally found the opener. A neat one two between Mariel Hecher and Riding put Hecher through and with a neat ball across the penalty area, the Lions captain picked out Knight who calmly fired past Sunderland into the bottom far corner of the goal.
The Lionesses struck shortly after the restart to extend their lead with Riding this time turning provider and sliding the ball into the path of Knight who under pressure, slotted the ball beyond Sunderland to double the lead.
A few minutes later it was nearly three when the visitors cleared the ball off the line following a corner.
The Gap had a slim chance to pull one back shortly after with a ball across the face of goal that Zaffina was stranded for, however no one was on hand to follow it up and provide the finishing touch.
A couple of further chances came and went for the hosts to put the game to bed with Riding unable to find the target just after the hour mark and then with 15 minutes remaining, dragging a shot across goal when looking to find the far bottom corner.
A final opportunity in added time also fell to Riding with Hecher doing well to create an opening to play Riding in on goal but she fired narrowly over.
The final whistle finally arrived and another three points were secured. With other results favouring Lions, they keep up the pressure on ladder leaders Moreton Bay Utd.
The Lionesses now enjoy a week off with a bye next weekend before they take on a tough Capalaba side on the first weekend of May.
Rob’s View:
“The Gap are very good side and they were hard to break down. Our felt our finishing could have been a touch better but I’m pleased we’re creating those chances and on another night we could have had more goals.”
“Certainly first half I felt they were the toughest team we’ve played and that’s the first time this season we haven’t scored in the first 15 minutes of a game. It was a tough game and I reckon it will be a lot tougher second round of the season.”
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Zaffina (gk), Heatley, Clough, Morton, Hecher, Knight, Riding, Persson, O’Neill, Westland, Horsey.
Subs: Shuttleworth (rgk), Riley, Stanley, Hogg.
The Gap:
T. Sunderland (gk), Riccardi, Eason-Coutts, Robertson, Winter, McLennan, Doherty, Miller, L. Sunderland, Dibley, Timmins.
Subs: Bowman, Foster, Snell.
