LIONS WOMEN SECURE THEIR PLACE AT SUNCORP WITH DRAMATIC LATE VICTORY OVER EASTERN SUBURBS
A glorious late double from Meaghan McElligott and a match-winning save from Emily Clark saw our Lions Women defeat Eastern Suburbs 2-1 at Heath Park.
It was a measured start to proceedings in East Brisbane. Our Lions Women were composed in possession but struggled to penetrate a stern Easts defence.
Emily Clark was called on to make several early chances before Meaghan McElligott created our first compelling opportunity. Running onto a sleek Tara O’Keeffe through ball in the thirtieth minute, Meagan’s one-on-one shot was saved by a high-reaching keeper and headed clear before any potential follow-up.
Tonia-Marie Rantucci linked up with Tara O’Keeffe, but the chance was cleared before Alyssa Cox could meet the ball at the back post. We entered the interval locked goalless.
Eastern Suburbs continued to create chances after the break, but Emily Clark met them all with composure. A great save to deny Tegan Riding at point-blank range kept us goalless by the hour mark.
Meaghan McElligott forced a fine save from distance, and was then denied by the offside flag when she put the ball into the back of the net ten minutes later.
With ten minutes remaining, everything pointed to extra time. Meaghan McElligott had other ideas. Meg broke the tension in the 86th minute, curling a beautiful strike into the top right corner with finesse.
86′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
A beautiful strike from Meaghan McElligott, guided into the top right corner from distance!!!
We find the breakthrough 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 🔥
𝐄𝐀𝐒 0 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 31, 2024
On the ninetieth minute, Meaghan McElligott scored the goal that would send us to Suncorp. Taking a heavy touch to break out of her own half, Meaghan unleashed an incredible strike from distance to beat the keeper and double the score.
90′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
MEAGHAN MCELLIGOTT FROM MIDFIELD 🔥🔥🔥
A stunning strike to send us to Suncorp 😤👏
𝐄𝐀𝐒 0 – 2 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 31, 2024
The action didn’t end there. In the 93rd minute, Chantelle Maugeri buried a brilliant strike into the top right corner to reawaken the pressure. Eastern Suburbs sent every woman forward in the final minute, almost succeeding too.
Emily Clark stepped up with her crowning moment, tipping a fierce strike onto the crossbar in the 95th minute to erase Easts’ final hope. A remarkable individual performance from our shot-stopper.
Congratulations to our Lions Women, who will face the Premiers at Suncorp Stadium in the NPL Grand Final. An outstanding effort across the course of a demanding campaign and a deserved return to the big stage.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Finals Series Semi-Final
Lions FC 2 – 1 Eastern Suburbs
Heath Park, East Brisbane
NEXT MATCH
NPL Finals Series Grand Final
Lions FC vs. Brisbane City
Suncorp Stadium, Milton
