Lions FC 3 (Hecher 67′; Thompson 74′; Kirkup 81′)
Capalaba Bulldogs 0
HT 0-0
Lions FC have claimed a historic treble and undefeated 2021 season with victory over Capalaba Bulldogs in a storm interrupted Grand Final at Perry Park on Saturday evening.
Following on from the NPLW U23 Girls claiming Grand Final honours over QAS prior to the NPLW showpiece event, the Lionesses dominated the second half to claim their third piece of silverware of the season.
In a tentative opening it took until just before the half hour mark for the first real chance on goal from either side. Shea Connors linking up with Tegan Riding to lay off a ball for Mariel Hecher that tested Capalaba keeper Georgina Worth, tipping the Brazilian’s effort over.
The NPLW Champions thought they’d opened the scoring soon after. Connors slipping the ball through for Teagan Thompson who’s shot was fumbled into the goal by Worth, only for the Assistant Referee’s flag to be raised and rule out the goal.
Lions continued to ask questions of the Bulldogs with Hecher denied by another good save from Worth just before the break.
With the game Locked at 0-0 it would take something special to break the deadlock. Hecher almost managed that with a fierce strike that cannoned off the crossbar on 56 minutes.
After a couple of half chances falling for Lions the breakthrough did finally come on 67 minutes. A Lions corner saw Golden Boot winner Connors brilliantly denied by Worth after the ball sat nicely for the Lions striker however, the rebound rolled out to Hecher who from just inside the box, thundered the ball past Worth with the Bulldogs keeper glued to the spot.
Lions doubled their lead a short time later. Cannon Clough finding herself in acres of space and driving down the line before whipping in a pin point cross that was met by the head of Thompson with the ball beating Worth and nestling into the far corner.
Throughout the second term, a typical seasonal Brisbane storm was flashing away close by and soon after Lions had doubled their lead, the heavens opened with small hail and torrential rain which saw both teams taken from the field for their safety with lightning also close by.
The delay lasted some ten minutes and following some work on the Capalaba goal mouth to sweep water from the area, the game resumed.
Just a few moments after the restart, Lions sealed the contest. Tegan Riding threading a perfectly weighted ball into the path of substitute Rebecca Kirkup who one on one with Worth, kept her composure to slide the ball in and put the NPLW Grand Final to bed.
It capped off a remarkable season for Rob Askew’s side. Undefeated in all competitions to claim the NPLW Championship and Grand Final as well as the inaugural Kappa Women’s Super Cup. Along with the leagues top scorer in Shea Connors with 48 goals in all competitions as well as Connors, Clough, McQueen and Hecher all heading off to the 2021/22 A-League Women’s season too.
Such a feat will certainly take some beating.
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Majstorovic(gk), Hecher, Thompson, Clough, Connors, Riding, O’Keeffe, Gunston, Westland, Rink, Price.
Subs: Shuttleworth (rgk), Teakle, Kirkup, Kruger, Skeers, Arendse.
Capalaba Bulldogs:
Worth (gk), Chapman, Murphy, Simms, Latham, Ward, Knight, Miles, Wheeler, Crummer, Crew.
Subs: Maher, Rousseau, McKenzie.
Referee: Lucinda Robertson
