Lions FC 9 (Morton 10′; Knight 18′, 47′, 62′; Hecher 23′; OG 27′; Riding 29′, 49′)
Souths Utd 0
HT 6-0
Lions FC moved to the top of the NPLW ladder overnight following a 9-0 mauling of South United at Lions Stadium on Saturday evening.
Having struck eight past Mitchelton the week before, the Lionesses soon found the back of the net when in the 10th minute Kate Morton tucked away a goal line clearance after Teagan Riding’s effort was initially blocked.
Eight minutes later the lead was doubled when Riding was again the architect, chasing a through ball and cutting the it back into the six yard box where Whitney Knight capitalised on United’s inability to clear.
Another United error led to the host’s third midway through the half. A speculative long ball forward saw a Souths defender air swing at the ball allowing it go through for Mariel Hecher to chase onto and expertly guide the ball past United keeper Chloe Cole.
Just three minutes later and it was 4-0. Riding again latching onto another defence splitting through ball, rounding the onrushing Cole before guiding the ball goalward from a tight angle. Her effort though seemingly looking run across the face. Hecher though was racing in accompanied by United’s Alexandra Huynh who in attempting to clear and prevent Hecher from tapping the ball in, could only guide it high into the roof of the net.
The United defence were left flat footed on the half hour with Riding was once again put through on goal. One on one with Cole she rounded the United keeper before walking the ball into the goal to deservedly get on the scoresheet.
The visitors, unable to cope with their opponents then conceded a penalty soon after. Huynh bundling over Riding as she looked to bear down on goal for the umpteenth time. Catherine O’Neill stepping up for a rare opportunity to add her name to the list of scorers, firing high past Cole to make it 6-0.
The hosts went close to a reply with their only effort on goal for the half on 42 minutes. Amy Chapman releasing Rosie Sutton but the substitute fired her effort across the face of goal and barely troubling Cassandra Zaffina in the Lions goal who until then had been a spectator.
The second half saw the goals resume in quick succession with the United defence getting into a real mix up just two minutes in, gifting the ball to Whitney Knight who strode into the box and with ample time to pick her spot, slotted the ball past the helpless Cole for her second of the game.
Five minutes later Souths gifted yet another goal to their hosts. A free kick for offside saw Hyunh play the ball straight to Riding who went on to drive the ball under Cole for her side’s eighth.
Shortly after the hour mark Knight grabbed her hat trick. Beating the offside trap, she guided the ball past Cole for what would be her last involvement in the game, making way for Jess Hogg.
Coach Rob Askew then made a couple of changes, bringing on youngster Amy Gunston in place of Hecher and also replacing keeper Zaffina with substitute keeper Isabella Shuttleworth enjoying rare minutes between the sticks.
Souths enjoyed a greater degree of possession in the closing period of the game but struggled to find a clear path through the Lionesses defence.
Finally Souths miserable afternoon was put to an end and with league leaders Capalaba having the bye, Lions, courtesy of a better goal difference thanks to the 17 goals scored in the last two games, saw them move to the top of the table.
The Lionesses next outing sees them head to Gatton where they’ll face bottom side SWQ Thunder in what could be another rout.
Rob’s View:
“I really didn’t expect that scoreline. I expected a much tougher game. I know Souths are a good side, but today in our first half we were amazing. I said to the girls at half time if that is our level for 90 minutes, we’ll win the league. It was sensational!”
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Zaffina (gk), Heatley, Clough, Morton, Hecher, Knight, Riding, Persson, O’Neill, Westland, Horsey.
Subs: Shuttleworth (rgk), Evetts, Hogg, Gunston.
Souths Utd:
Cole (gk), Rushton, Rose, Huynh, Murphy, Norrie, Dooley, Chapman, Lane, Mannion, Karalouka.
Subs: Gaudin, Sutton, Rood, Spampinato, Seeto (rgk).
