NPLM Round #17: Lions Men Reign in Brisbane Classico

LIONS MEN REAP THE SPOILS IN THE BRISBANE CLASSICO WITH A RESOUNDING 3-0 VICTORY

An Alex Fiechtner brace and a possession-dominant approach saw our Lions Men dismantle a competitive Brisbane City side at Imperial Corp Stadium.

In a quiet start in Newport, our Lions Men controlled the tempo, maintaining possession in our own half while working the ball forward against a stubborn Brisbane City defence.

Finn Beakhurst created the first meaningful chance of the night, elegantly flicking the ball over two outstretched feet with flair before flashing a powerful shot across the face of the Brisbane City goal.

Alex Fiechtner flashed a half-volley wide after playing a neat one-two with Jack Skinner to create space in the box. Our Lions Men continued to grow into the game as the half-hour mark approached.

We broke the deadlock minutes later through Alex Fiechtner. It was a quick layoff from Jack Skinner and a convenient finish from Alex after a Joe Duckworth freekick forced a parried save from the keeper.

Two minutes later, Andy Pengelly guided home the second, steering a first-time shot into the left corner after a fantastic turn and layoff from Jack Skinner. Two goals in the space of minutes earned us a firm lead at the break.

We started the second half with the same momentum, dictating the tempo and dominating the ball. Our defence remained resolute, and we continued to create pressure in the final third.

Luke Broderick stormed down the right flank from his own half, driving into the box before drilling a right-footed shot across the face of goal.

Minutes after the hour mark, Alex Fiechtner finished a beautiful team move and scored our 100th goal in all competitions to wrap up the game. A brilliant piece of unified football, starting in defence before progressing through Jackson Hart-Phillips, Andy Pengelly, and Jack Skinner.

With three assists to his name, Jack Skinner came close to adding his name to the scoresheet, but his lethal volley was saved reactively by the keeper’s outstretched boot.

We stayed focused to secure a crucial 3-0 draw as we continue to mount pressure on Gold Coast Knights in the title race.