NPLM Round #21: Lions Fall to Wolves

DESPITE A FIRST HALF TURNAROUND, WYNNUM WOLVES FIGHT BACK IN THE SECOND HALF TO DEFEAT OUT LIONS MEN AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM

Goals from Jack Skinner and Alex Fiechtner saw us come from behind in the first half, but an explosive second half performance from the visitors saw them reap the points in a 4-3 thriller.

Twelve seconds was all it took for Wynnum Wolves to break the deadlock. The sound of the referee’s whistle had barely left the air when an awkward bounce gave Jakob Mudnic room to burst between two players, pickpocket possession, and rifle a bouncing bullet into the bottom right corner.

1-0 Wolves, and the challenge was set.

An immediate attempt to respond set the tone for the game. A sharp cross from the right was spilled by the keeper, and Luke Brodericks’ snapshot was blocked firmly.

Alex Fiechter cut inside and forced a firm fist on the dive. We continued to pile on the pressure inside the opening ten minutes until the Wolves resistance finally broke.

A quick exchange down the right channel and a creative backheeled pass from Alex Fiechtner opened space on the edge of the box for Jack Skinner. Jack took the ball to the left before stopping the ball dead and flooring his defender. A quick set on his right foot saw him drill a piercing shot under the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

A series of shots from Alex Fiechtner created danger as our Lions Men took control over the flow of the game. An unexpected handball at the back post saw our Lions win a penalty, and Alex Fiechtner’s driven panenka beat the keeper to put us ahead.

Alwin Komolong made a crucial sliding challenge to prevent a close-range shot, and our Lions entered the break with a slender 2-1 lead.

The visitors started the second half with clear intent, forcing an early diving save from Cardiff Pond as they created overloads in the final third. Our defence were made uncomfortable as Wolves applied the pressure. Their equaliser was well-met, with Luke Francis picking the bottom left corner with composure.

Minutes later, Wynnum Wolves made it 3-2 minutes later through Zach Maltby. Cardiff Pond made two firm blocks from close range before Zach rifled the third attempt into the roof of the net from point-blank range.

Despite the Wolves resurgence, our Lions Men remained competitive. A powerful effort from Joe Duckworth was saved down the centre before Jack Skinner sold his defender with a deft feint and curled a crisp shot over the crossbar.

As we applied pressure in search of an equaliser, the Wolves caught us in transition with a clinical move that pulled us open. An inswinging cross, a nodded header to beat Cardiff Pond, and a poached named Luke Francis lurking for the tap-in.

We rallied in the final stages in search of two goals. Jack Skinner sent a dagger into the bottom right corner to recover one, but our desperate late effort proved fruitless as the Wolves held on to secure all three points.

Our Lions Men travel away to the Croatian Sports Centre next week to face Premiers Gold Coast Knights in the final game of the NPL season.

 

MATCH DETAILS

NPL Men 2024 Round #21

Lions FC 3 – 4 Wynnum Wolves

Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands

NEXT MATCH

NPL Men 2024 Round #22

Lions FC vs. Gold Coast Knights

Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara

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