A controlled performance at home saw us end Olympic’s unbeaten run and move into first place on the NPL QLD Table for the first time this season.
An Alex Fiechtner goal on either side of half-time and a first goal of the season for Jackson Hart-Phillips helped our Lions to a crucial win at home as we move to first place with our fourth consecutive win at home.
After coming close on several occasions, Alex Fiechtner broke the deadlock with a tidy curling finish in the twentieth minute after Hassan Ramazani charged forward, winning the ball high and allowing Andy Pengelly to slide the ball to Fiechtner on the rebound.
Five minutes later we doubled our advantage after Jackson Hart-Phillips pounced on a ball that was wrestled from Fiechtner just inside the box and placed his shot with elegance into the bottom left corner.
Despite conceding almost no clear chances in the first half, we entered the interval with only a goal to the good after a misplaced back-pass allowed Olympic to surge forward with the ball. Zachary Kierpal pulled one back after an initial rebound from the crossbar fell into his path.
Shelford Dais was shown red on the brink of half-time after a reckless high-footed challenge on Alex Fiechtner.
Midway through the second half, Fiechtner controlled the ball with his back to goal, weaving inside and then outside to shake off his marker before darting down the left file and planting a powerful left-footed strike into the back of the net at the near post.
We controlled the game until the full-time whistle blew, walking off with a win that greatly resembled last year’s 2021 NPL Grand Final: An Alex Fiechtner brace, a three-one victory, and an Olympic red card. Parallel wins.
Head Coach Darren Sime spoke about his side’s mature performance in a crucial win.
“I felt like, in all fairness, we controlled large portions of the game”, Sime said. “They’re a very dangerous side, and we saw that if we gave them a sniff, they’ll take it, but I was very happy.
“It was a very controlled performance, a very mature performance from the squad which I was very, very pleased with.
“There was a real focus and intent tonight, which was really pleasing to see.
“It’s nice to be top of the table, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
We travel away next Saturday evening to face a Moreton Bay United side that is in fine form following an iconic victory over Peninsula Power and a third successive Clean Sheet.
MATCH DETAILS
Men’s NPL Queensland 2022 Round #9
Lions FC vs Olympic FC
Saturday, 7th May
KO: 7:00pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands
LIONS FC 3
OLYMPIC FC 1
HT: 2-1