Six faultless penalties saw our Lions Men progress in a 6-5 shootout victory over Eastern Suburbs after a 90th-minute equaliser at Heath Park!
No FQTV stream, which means if you weren’t at Heath Park last night, you missed a memorable clash. The first half was far different from our last encounter at Easts. Neither side manufactured any dangerous chances across the opening twenty minutes, with possession turning over on the constant in midfield.
Finn Beakhurst forced a fingertip save with a neat inswinging corner that was sinking towards the back post. Jackson Hart-Phillips blasted a snapshot over the crossbar, and our best chance in the thirtieth minute saw Blair Ponting place a right-footed strike across the keeper from the right side of the box.
Minimal chances followed, and we entered the break with a 0-0 scoreline that probably felt like a fair reflection of the battle at the time.
In the second half, the game opened up. An early chance went begging as Eremugo Debele surged down the right flank, playing the ball inside to Finn, who crossed the ball into Luke Broderick, and his shot was guided off target.
Zane North speared a powerful back-post header over the crossbar, and Jacson Riley made an excellent diving save moments later as Easts hit on the counter.
Minutes after the hour, Eastern Suburbs broke the deadlock. A header at the back post, and the challenge was set.
The next thirty minutes were immensely difficult. It became complicated to escape our own half as every single Easts player committed to defending. A really composed, gritty, and focused effort from the Tigers, who for a long period prevented us from escaping our half at all.
They managed the game well to their credit, but we were patient and took our moments. In the final ten minutes, with fresh legs and energy, our Lions Men started penetrating the final third again. Crosses and half-chances cleared desperately as the hosts clung to their lead. The seconds adding up on every Eastern Suburbs goal kick and throw-in.
It may have taken fifty seconds to get the ball in play every time we put it out, but we only needed five seconds to put the ball in the back of the net! A flurry of chances inside the box, and up stepped Mitch Hore to bury the equaliser in the 90th minute!
90′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
THERE WE GO 🔥 MITCH HORE WITH THE GAME-SAVING STRIKE, AND WE ARE BACK IN THE GAME 😤👏
𝐄𝐀𝐒 1 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #KappaQueenslandCup pic.twitter.com/VQnzEsCs2f
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) April 1, 2026
Alive again, and we looked ready to win it in ninety. Tuquiri Beckett forced a full-stretch diving save with his fingertips, and in the final kick of the game, Cher Deng sent a thirty-yard missile clattering into the crossbar!
Extra Time.
The first half was again patient, composed, and careful. Like any first half in any extra time. Cher Deng directed a fantastic header off target after rising at the back post, and Luke Broderick forced a brilliant save with a back-post header at point-blank range!
We almost had the lead in the 110th minute. Luke Broderick tore down the right flank, slicing the ball to Tresor Christophe – his central shot was true, but a stunning sliding challenge blocked the shot.
In the 125th minute. The final action of the game. A glorious cross from Teddy Callaghan opened space in the centre for Luke Broderick, but his sharp, downward header was caught by the keeper.
And on to penalties to decide the victor.
Our Lions Men delivered six-inch-perfect penalties, and Eastern Suburbs did the same (almost). We went five for five, until the hosts missed in sudden death, leaving Tommy Jarrard to step up as the hero, planting his spot-kick into the bottom left corner!
WE WIN ON PENS 🔥👏🦁
Eastern Suburbs 🟢
Luke Broderick 🟢
Eastern Suburbs 🟢
Tresor Christophe 🟢
Eastern Suburbs 🟢
Mitch Hore 🟢
Eastern Suburbs 🟢
Cher Deng 🟢
Eastern Suburbs 🟢
Tuquiri Beckett 🟢
Eastern Suburbs ❌
Tommy Jarrard 🟢𝐄𝐀𝐒 1 (5) – (6) 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) April 1, 2026
Progression to Round 5 of the Kappa Queensland Cup secured. An entertaining game of football. Credit to both sides. And a clash that felt more befitting of a Cup Semi-Final than a midweek Round 4 clash.
Congratulations to Dan Barber and the boys on a smashing effort. Enjoy the Easter long weekend!
MATCH DETAILS:
Kappa Queensland Cup: Round 4
Eastern Suburbs (5) 1 – 1 (6) Lions FC
Goalscorers:
Mitch Hore 90′
