LION MEN RECLAIM THE NPL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH AN ORGANISED VICTORY AT SUNCORP STADIUM
Jackson Hart-Phillips’ breakthrough on the stroke of half-time provided decisive as our Lions Men secured a 1-0 victory against Moreton City Excelsior.
It was a high-energy clash at Suncorp Stadium. A yellow card in the third minute set the tone of the night, with both sides giving everything in their arsenal to take home the NPL Championship trophy.
A stunning diagonal switch of play from Andy Pengelly beat two defenders and set Finn Beakhurst into space. The move ended with Shaun Carlos making a run off the shoulder, but the ball was cleared before he could muster a shot.
Jack Skinner forced a firm save, and Cardiff Pond made an important dive to his left to prevent Moreton City Excelsior from finding the bottom corner. We continued to control proceedings in the final third, picking away at a tight Moreton City Excelsior defence and trying to find an opening in the centre.
Hassan Ramazani made an emphatic defensive header to prevent Marquez Walters from creating a threat. Our Lions Men found the breakthrough deep in first-half stoppage time. A threaded ball found Finn Beakhurst down the right, and his sharp cross was slid home at the back post to make it 1-0.
45+6′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Jackson Hart-Phillips slides home at the back posts after a sharp cross from Finn Beakhurst!!!
A piercing team move to unlock a tight defence 🔥
𝐌𝐂𝐄 0 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) September 7, 2024
Moreton City Excelsior ramped up the pressure after the break, but our Lions dealt with every threat confidently and with composure. Donning a bandage after a first-half head collision, Tommy Jarrard made an unthinkable goal-line clearance, sliding across the line to clear a powerful low strike after Cardiff Pond was exposed. A match-winning block celebrated like a goal!
We maintained control in the final half-hour, enduring a particularly hectic spell that saw Excelsior attack us in waves. Chances from Finn Beakhurst and Matt Ridenton almost saw us double our lead, and a stunning outstretched hand from Cardiff Pond palmed a powerful shot aimed at the bottom left corner.
Our Lions held on for a famous 1-0 victory, and the NPL Championship trophy returns to Luxury Paints Stadium.
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Congratulations to Darren Sime and our Lions Men. Three trophies in an incredible season that saw us play 40 games in all competitions.
