A late strike condemns our Lions Men to a 2-1 defeat in the opening round of the NPL season at Goodwin Park
With a strong run of results in the Kappa Pro Series, our Lions Men arrived at Goodwin Park looking for a positive result over Olympic FC to kickstart their NPL campaign.
An early chance begged for the back of the net, but Jackson Hart-Phillips’ thunderous first-time strike shattered the crossbar at the back post! Jerson Lagos forced a save as we looked to capitalise on a dominant opening ten minutes, but the ball wouldn’t hit the net.
It was Olympic on the break who drew first blood, scoring in the 20th minute after we failed to clear the danger inside the box.
Alex Fiechtner saw a shot saved at the bottom right corner after a Hart-Phillips cross, and Blair Ponting drilled a fierce volley inches over the crossbar from the edge of the box. With frustration and chances untaken, our Lions Men entered the break trailing 1-0.
The second half started with an Alex Fiechtner header planted inches over the crossbar as our Lions Men looked to equalise quickly. Luke Broderick was subbed in before the hour mark, almost making an instant impact as his well-executed volley was saved on the chest of the keeper!
Jackson Hart-Phillips fired a half-volley over the crossbar, and moments later slid in at the back post trying to reach Jerson Lagos’ powerful cross to no avail. Jerson forced a save at the bottom right corner, and then our equaliser finally fell. A brilliant cross from Sander Griggs. A crisp touch to set the ball from Alex Fiechtner, and a swift spin and finish on the spot sailed into the upper right corner with nothing the keeper could do!
72′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
ALEX FIECHTNER EQUALISES 🔥
Insane spin on the spot to drill a powerful first-time strike into the upper left corner 🎯
𝐎𝐋𝐘 1 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLQLD
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) February 21, 2026
It was an intense final twenty minutes. Our Lions Men continued to advance in waves, searching for a late winner at Goodwin Park, and despite our dominance, the chances wouldn’t fall. Jerson Lagos forced a reactive diving save from the keeper, and then pinched a first-time effort wide of the far post. Alex Fiechtner flashed a back-post volley across the face of goal, and then, in the 92nd minute, Olympic surged down the other end in transition and burst our spirit with a dramatic winner.
We fought for a quick response, but the hosts held on, and our Lions Men tasted defeat in the opening round of the 2026 NPL season. A tough start, and frustrating, but we’re fired up, unified, and ready to bounce back!
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | It’s Matchday One despair for our Lions Men. Tireless work to force the equaliser, but a stoppage-time strike knocks us back.#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/I1cZNIHv6y
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) February 21, 2026
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Men: Round 1
Olympic FC 2 – 1 Lions FC
Goalscorers:
Alex Fiechtner 72′
