Lions FC                          7 (Riding 12′, 77′; Hercher 26′, 33′; Horsey 45′;  Knight 70′, Westland 86′)
Brisbane Roar NTC      0
HT 4-0

The Lionesses extended their unbeaten run for the 2019 NPLW season with a convincing 7-0 victory over a young Brisbane Roar NTC side at Lions Stadium on Saturday evening.

Tegan Riding’s neat finish just before the quarter hour mark, following a slick one-two with Sofie Persson paved the way for a comfortable afternoon for the hosts.

The ever lively Mariel Hecher struck twice in six minutes towards the back end of the half to all but put the result beyond doubt.

Her first following a fine double save from Roar keeper Imarnie Fatnowna to deny Riding and Persson, but as was often the case, the visitors immediately coughed up possession and Hecher made no mistake when put through one on one with Fatnowna.

Her second moments later, was equally as gifted from Roar who lost the ball to Riding. The Lions striker heading down the right side of the box before squaring the ball to an unmarked Hecher who smashed the ball home from six yards out.

Rebekah Horsey rounded out the scoring for the half just a minute after Witney Knight had struck the post. This time Riding’s effort on goal was well saved by Fatnowna but she was unable to gather in the rebound as Horsey was on hand to tap in from close range.

The visitors emerged for the second half looking a little more organised whilst Lions allowed them to play although Fatnowna was again on hand to keep out Knight and Riding.

However the frailties of Fatnowna’s ability to play out from the back were exposed midway through the half when Knight closed down the Roar stopper on the edge of the six yard box to get a touch on her clearance. With the loose ball rolling nicely towards goal, the Lions No.9 couldn’t fail to score, firing into an empty net.

Hecher went close to getting her hat trick with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, smashing a shot from just inside the box off the bar but a minute later the Brazilian turned provider, sliding a ball through to Riding who was clear on goal to slot the ball past Fatnowna for Lions sixth.

Another Hecher effort went agonisingly close with the clock running down, her shot deflected just wide of the post as she was to be denied what would have been a worthy third for her on the night.

Youngster Meisha Westland finished off the rout with a somewhat fortuitous goal. With room and space from the far left to cross the ball in, her effort curled towards goal, catching Fatnowna by surprise with the Roar keeper only able to get a hand to the ball, palming it into the back of the net.

It capped off a dominant display from the hosts who were it not for a number of fine saves from Fatnowna, could well have had a double figure scoreline.

Next week the Lionesses head up the highway to the Sunshine Coast where they’ll take on Sunshine Coast Wanderers for a Sunday encounter.

Rob’s View:
“I think the scoreline is a little deceiving as I think Roar/QAS are a good little side. Once they get into there groove I think they’ll take points off teams. We played them in pre-season and they’ve already gone up a step.”

“I thought we were good tonight. I was pleased to have a clean sheet tonight after conceding a couple of soft goals in the previous couple of games and its coming together in the front third for us. I’m really pleased with out progress.”

Team line-ups:

Lions FC:
Zaffina (gk), Heatley, Westland, Morton, Riley, Hecher, Knight, Riding, Persson, O’Neill, Horsey.
Subs: Shuttleworth (rgk), Clough, Higgs, Stanley.

Brisbane Roar NTC:
Fatnowna (gk), Barry, Thake, Hutton, Suero, Kubin, Thompson, McDougall, Taylor, Stephenson.
Subs: Wallace, Coyne, Amajouyi.

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