Lions FC 0
Western Pride 1 (Duckworth 73′)
HT 0-0
Joe Duckworth’s 73rd minute strike proved the difference in a tightly contested local derby at Lions Stadium on Saturday evening as Western Pride ended Lions FC’s 100% home record with a narrow 1-0 success.
A frenetic but scrappy opening met the healthy crowd as the rain continued to be an annoyance during the first half with chances few for both sides.
Shaun Carlos had both of Lions’ best opportunities but on both occasions was unable to hit the target.
At the other end, the hosts had to scramble the ball away following a goal mouth muddle that nearly saw the visitors opening the scoring and a short time later, Fraser Hills cross come shot nearly caught out Brandon Cuminao in the Lions goal who was deputising for regular stopper Luc Borean whilst he’s away overseas.
The visitors did have the ball in the back of the net late in the first half before the assistant’s flag saw the goal ruled out. A deep free kick saw top scorer Dylan Wendell-Halls miscue back across the six yard box but find Jesse Rigby who headed into an empty net, but he was a yard offside.
The second half saw the hosts take the game to Pride and dominate proceedings.
Chances fell to Jacob Alexander and Nathan Reardon who both produced long range efforts that went close. Alexander’s curling effort narrowly going wide and Reardon’s powerful shot forcing Max Davison to tip around his post.
But Pride’s first attack of the half saw them take the lead midway through the half. Joe Duckworth found free on the edge of the box and sliding a low shot just inside the right upright, and evading a desperate dive from Cuminao.
With time running out, Lions pressed for the leveller.
A free kick with ten minutes remaining saw desperate defending from the visitors with the ball floated in and met with a firm header from Reardon, only to see his effort flick off a Pride defender’s head and over the bar.
In added time a scramble in the box saw the ball fall for Mitch Hore who’s effort was blocked for a corner.
Lions were unable to find the equaliser and with 5 minutes of added time coming to an end, the points head west as Pride finally end their Lions Stadium hoodoo.
Lions enjoy another home encounter next week when they have a good opportunity to bounce back with the visit of bottom side Sunshine Coast Fire.
Moony’s Comments: “Firstly that was two good teams that were out there tonight. They (Pride) are an excellent side with the dangers they have which they do well. It was even first half I though but I think we shaded it with the chances we created. The second half I felt we had had the whole running of the game but just lacked that bit of quality in the final third to take our chances and they gave us a lesson in how to defend a lead. They had one or two chances only second half and took one and walk away with the three points and we’re bitterly disappointed not to get anything out of the game.”
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Cuminao (gk), Thompson, Alexander, Simic, Jarrard, Reardon, Hore, Carlos, Kim, Brindell-South, Glockner.
Subs: Cuminao (rgk), Shepherd, Cosgrove, Stewart, Maher.
Western Pride:
Davison (gk), McFarlane, McHenery, Crestani, Rigby, Endean, Pengelly, Duckworth, Wenzell-Halls, Hills, Hawash.
Sub: Weier (rgk), Tuyishime, Brown, Wilson, Lukonga.
