Lions FC 2 (Persson 59′ pen; Riding 74′)
Capalaba 1 (Perrin 28′)
HT 0-1
Sofie Persson’s second half penalty and Tegan Riding’s header with a quarter of an hour remaining turned the tables on close rivals Capalaba Bulldogs with a come from behind 2-1 success at Lions Stadium on Saturday evening.
A lacklustre first half saw few chances fall for either side until midway through the half when a deep throw in was played through and a mix up at the back saw Tanesha Stanley prod the ball out of the hands of Lions keeper Cassandra Zaffina towards her own goal. Before the ball went in, Jacinta Perrin raced in for the finishing touch and put the Bulldogs ahead.
Lions best effort fell to Mariel Hecher in the 20th minute who’s header from a corner was well saved by Bulldogs keeper Jess McLean.
The second half saw a very different Lions side with a far greater intensity and they found their way back into the contest just before the hour mark. Hecher making a surge into the box was tripped by Angela Maher. Persson stepping up and dispatching the spot kick commandingly past McLean.
With around a quarter of an hour remaining the hosts hit the front. Good link up play between Stanley and Whitney Knight released the Lions forward who delivered a deep cross to the back post that was met with a rare header from Riding from close range.
The Bulldogs continued to battle hard and were nearly rewarded with when substitute Anna Ringrose fired in a long range effort which Zaffina had to back peddle and tip over the bar.
The Lionesses held on though and earned a valuable three points to keep up the pressure on league leaders Moreton Bay Utd and put some daylight between them and today visitors.
Next week Lions head to Gold Coast Utd for a round 13 clash.
Rob’s View:
“I think it was the toughest game we’ve had this year, Capalaba are contenders. Compared to last season and their results then, you’d think it was surprise but they were relentless and they play for 90 minutes.”
“I think we dominated the game and had the better possession and chances but while it was 1-1 or 2-1 it was in the balance they were always capable of something and made it hard for us.”
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Zaffina (gk), Hogg, Riley, Clough, Hecher, Knight, Riding, Persson, O’Neill, Stanley, Horsey.
Subs: Shuttleworth (rgk), Heatley, Barnett, Evetts.
Capalaba:
McLean (gk), Finneran, Perrin, Maher, Wadsworth, Latham, Tatsuoka, Lines, Couperus, Lloyd, Crew.
Subs: Stweart (rgk), Rongrose, DiSavia, Ward, Tibbles.
