Lions FC 5 (Riding 27′; Jamieson 42′, 47′, 79′; Stanley 52′)
Eastern Suburbs 1 (Tan 48′)
A hat trick from Kirsten Jamieson helped Lions to their fourth straight win of the NPLW season as they eased past Eastern Suburbs 5-1.
The first half however was not a vintage Lions performance and a 2-0 half time lead came courtesy of two Easts blunders and a couple of fine saves from Lions keeper Ellen Hepburn at the other end to keep the visitors out.
Jamieson had a couple of early chances but she turned provider following a poor goal kick routine from the Easts defence midway through the half, slipping the ball across to Tegan Riding who didn’t need a second invitation to fire high into the back of the net.
Lions second came from another Duffy error close to half time. Tanesha Stanley crossing from a tight angle on the right saw Duffy fumble at the near post. The ball squirming from her grasp with Jamieson pouncing to slide in for the tap in on the line.
Easts were not without their chances however and the hosts were thankful to Hepburn to deny a fierce long range shot from Louise Coyne following an uncharacteristic give-away from the Lions defence.
Teagan Lynch should have done better for the Tigers when she saw the ball fall nicely for her 10 yards out but she wildly blasted over.
Hepburn was called upon again when Annalese Holzworth saw her effort on goal well blocked by the Lions stopper.
A second half shuffle of formation from Coach Joe Disavia saw his side take control early and the hosts extended their lead in the 47th minute.
Tanesha Stanley crossing the ball into the box where Jamieson was on hand to smash the ball home from close range.
Easts struck back shortly after when a free kick on the left was floated into the box by Coyne. Lions failed to deal with the danger as Priscilla Tan headed in from 6 yards out.
Any semblance of a recover from the visitors was short lived however when less that five minutes later, Riding was played into space down the right where she burst forward before sliding the ball inside to Stanley who produced a fine finish past Duffy at her near post.
Riding was again pivotal late on. Finding substitute Lorena Maggio who fired wide of the target from 12 out but another Riding delivery proved more fruitful minutes later when she picked out Jamieson on the far side of the box.
The Lions striker cut inside and evaded Duffy at her feet, rounding her and firing in from 10 yards out to secure her hat trick.
The second half was a marked improvement and Lions didn’t look back as they raced to another convincing victory.
Next week, Lions travel to Buderim where they face Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Joe’s Comment:
“I think we lacked the numbers in the middle of the park first half which allowed Easts to pick up ball in midfield and distribute to their forwards. We fixed that at half time and got more ball and controlled more possession which allowed us to be constructive in the final third.”
“I was really happy with how our young players performed. Ellen kept us in the game in the first half with her saves as we were in a bit of strife then. Second half Tanesha Stanley demonstrated ‘Heart, Pride, Passion’ all the way and she played a major role.”
“It’s great to see a good balance of youth and experience players working together. It’s pleasing seeing the experience players embracing the youth players in the squad.”
“It was a game of two halves. The first half was my error with the shape which wasn’t the right shape. We fixed that and we’ve got another three points.
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Hepburn (gk), Chapman, Morton, Horsey, Riley, Jamieson, Riding, Popovic, Stanley, Harch, Hogg.
Subs: Dale (rgk), Hecher, Maggio, Kenman, Disavia
Eastern Suburbs:
Duffy (gk), Panetta, Maher, Tokunaga, McKeen, Holzworth, Dixon, Lynch, Coyne, Duffy, Tan.
Subs: Noverraz, Ward, De Roquefeul, Thompson, Moore
