Lions FC 3 (Macauce 39′; Solorzano 60′; Glockner 75′)
Redlands Utd 0
HT 1-0
Lions FC made it six wins on the trot with a convincing 3-0 victory over Redlands United on Saturday evening at Lions Stadium.
The scoreline flattered the visitors with United keeper Andrew Ralph keeping the scoreline respectable, but he could do nothing to prevent Jheison Macauce netting his first goal for Lions since recently joining the club.
Jacob Alexander crossing from the left with Macauce beating two defenders for speed, racing to the edge of the six yard box and finishing from close range shortly before the break.
Jean Carlos Solorzano doubled the lead on the hour mark in bizarre circumstances when returning to the field following treatment after a collision with a Redlands defender moments earlier, was then gifted the ball by Ralph who’s misplaced pass fell straight to the Costa Rican’s feet where he powered into the box and guided his right foot shot into the far bottom corner of the goal.
Substitute Carter Glockner put the result beyond doubt with a quarter of an hour remaining when played into the box and rounding the onrushing Ralph before sliding the ball in from a narrow angle for his fifth league goal of the season
The visitors had their moments but were unable to penetrate the NPL’s tightest defence.
Shuto Kuboyama going closest early in the first half with a stinging shot that Luke Borean was forced to tip around the post.
Shortly after the break, Borean was forced into a superb double save to again deny Kuboyama and then steering Jake Sherwood’s follow-up effort over the bar.
From that point on it was all Lions and if not for some great saves by Ralph in the Redlands goal, Lions could well have had four or five more. Macauce, Glockner, Chris Maher and Tommy Jarrard all denied by the Englishman.
When Ralph was beaten late on, the post came to his rescue to prevent Glockner from grabbing his second of the night when connecting with substitute Tyson Walpole’s cut back across the six yard box. Walpole debuting for the hosts.
The win keeps Lions in the top four and with a game in hand over the sides above them.
Next round sees one of Queensland’s long running rivalries come to Lions Stadium when Lions face Brisbane City.
Moony’s Remarks:
“It was probably our best football performance of the season. We altered the shape a little bit and that helped us passing the ball around a lot easier. It was a dominant display from start to finish. There were a couple of things we can improve upon and we’re always looking to improve with each performance.”
“I’m very happy with the three points. We’ve been working hard to be more ruthless in front of goal and tonight we could have had a few more. Once we start converting those chances and being more ruthless, we’ll start putting sides away a bit earlier.”
Team line-ups:
Lions FC:
Borean (gk), Alexander, Jarrard, Hore, Kim, Brindell-South, Maher, Macauce, Solorazno, Carlos, Hore.
Subs: Cuminao (rgk), Thompson, Reardon, Walpole, Glockner.
Redlands United:
Ralph (gk), Hughes, Langley, Sweica, Sherwood, Sargent, Warrilow, Irving, Hendrix, O’Bryan, Kuboyama.
Subs: Hart=Phillips, McLeod, Peck, Hobbs, Tubbs (rgk).
