A persistent and commanding display at Underwood Park saw our Lions Men secure their first NPL victory with a 3-1 showcase over Rochedale Rovers
It seems that when we need an early goal, Jackson Hart-Phillips is our man. Nine minutes this time is all it took for Jackson to open the scoring in our hard-fought clash against a hungry Rochedale Rovers side.
An excellent goal, created after Tommy Jarrard’s longball was flicked across goal by Flair Ponting, into the run of Jackson, who cut inside sharply and rolled a right-footed effort under the keeper to break the deadlock!
9′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
It’s Jackson Hart-Phillips again with an early breakthrough!
A tidy touch inside before rolling the ball under the keeper with his weak foot 🔥
𝐑𝐎𝐕 0 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLQLD pic.twitter.com/9JDqbdjmRe
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 6, 2026
The Rovers took little time to respond, with a quick breakaway down the right flank creating the opportunity to equalise. The cutback found a player in yellow, and an unlucky defensive intervention saw their first-time strike redirected beyond Jacson Riley’s dive.
Harvey Pope made a superb sliding challenge minutes later as the hosts looked to capitalise on the brief momentum their equaliser injected, but our Lions Men maintained their composure and quickly took control back.
A handful of chances fell at close range, and Jerson Lagos, on the rebound, saw a ruthless first-time volley saved at point-blank range from the Rochedale keeper! Alex Fiechtner had a first-time effort blocked, and Jerson Lagos’ pinpoint cross was cleared before it could find the back-post run of Luke Broderick!
As we pushed for a go-ahead goal before the break, Jerson saw another fine effort sail off target from distance, and our Lions Men walked into the dressing room level, with a catalogue of chances to build on.
We knew we had work to do as we walked back onto the field. Rochedale too were seeking their first result of the season, and almost snatched the lead when a powerful back-post header struck the right peg minutes after the restart.
On the hour mark, still level, Alex Fiechtner almost put us in front after a surging run down the left flank, but he couldn’t find the target on his weak foot. It wouldn’t matter, because ten minutes later, he would force a surprising breakthrough, sneaking a ruthless left-footed strike inside the near post from the byline after stinging the keeper’s palms.
69′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
STRIKE!!! Alex Fiechtner burns the keepers palms with a furious strike from the byline that is turned into the back of the net 🔥👏
𝐑𝐎𝐕 1 – 2 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLQLD pic.twitter.com/VSlKxAXJuH
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 6, 2026
It was an intense final twenty minutes as the hosts desperately looked for an equaliser. It was physical and impatient, but our Lions Men remained resolute and calm. There were several chances to extend our lead that were mitigated by The Rovers, and Alex Fiechtner saw a stunning half-volley chip strike the post after a brilliant touch on the chest to control an overhead ball.
To bring all three points back home, Shaun Carlos finessed a beautiful effort over the keeper and into the top right corner deep in stoppage time! A brilliant goal to secure a deserved first victory of the NPL campaign.
90+7′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
GAME OVER!!! A beautiful curling effort from captain Shaun Carlos arcs over the keeper and into the top right corner. Stunning 👏🙌
𝐑𝐎𝐕 1 – 3 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLQLD pic.twitter.com/4CvWe1uVYQ
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 6, 2026
The whistle blew shortly after the restart, and our Lions Men walked off proudly with a key victory to build on.
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | Our first NPL victory on the board ✅
A non-stop, high octave display at Underwood Park, and Shaun Carlos seals the deal with a beautiful strike in stoppage-time ☄️🙌
LETS GOOOOOOO 🔥🔥🔥#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/EKNnwY2DSw
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 6, 2026
Dan Barber shared his delight after a hard-fought result to get their first three points on the board.
“Really, really pleased for the group, you know, we had to work extremely hard there for 98 minutes, and Rochedale made it a really competitive game. They made it difficult; they tested and stretched us.
But pleased with the points, first and foremost, and a really gritty performance as well, so happy to get up for running with a win.
I was really pleased to score one of the scappier goals. Let’s say in terms of finishes, I think we needed that with that two weeks where we played really well. And you know, left a little bit frustrated, so we probably needed to show a kind of different side to our game tonight.
It wasn’t always perfect. It was a little bit scrappier at times and we had to roll the sleeves up, but that was kind of compounded when Fiechs managed to get the goal ahead goal and then it was a case of ensuring we can get over the line, and Shaun finished it off nicely.
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Men: Round 3
Rochedale Rovers 1 – 3 Lions FC
Goalscorers:
Jackson Hart-Phillips 9′
Alex Fiechtner 69′
Shaun Carlos 90+7′
