NPLM Round #5: Defeat in Buderim

OUR LIONS MEN WERE DEALT A SOBERING DEFEAT IN A DIFFICULT CLASH ON THE ROAD

A goal within thirty seconds set the tone as our Lions Men fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ballinger Park in their rescheduled Round #5 NPL clash.

It’s never an easy game when we travel away to Ballinger Park. Our Lions Men were reminded when the hosts shocked us with a breakthrough inside the first 35 seconds. A great ball into the box and a fine finish into the right side of the goal caught our defence off-guard.

The Sunshine Coast Wanderers piled on the pressure inside the opening five minutes, but our Lions Men shook themselves off and slowly gained control over the ball.

James Enticknap created our first serious chances, running off the shoulder and slinking into the centre of the box to receive a disguised pass. His attempt to roll the ball around the keeper didn’t work, and the hosts smothered the chance.

We dictated the tempo and maintained possession over the next twenty minutes, working the ball into the box carefully but struggling to create any meaningful chances.

Somewhat against the run of play, the hosts doubled their lead less than ten minutes from time. An initial diving save from Cardiff Pond fell back to our opponents, who made no mistake on the follow-up, picking the bottom left corner.

Andy Pengelly sent a great chance over the crossbar on the brink of half-time, leaving us with a massive challenge in the second half.

Sunshine Coast Wanderers made it 3-0 within the first ten minutes, looping an awkward header over the keeper from close range after a corner kick.

Our Lions continued to push for a breakthrough, coming close after a sharp shot was saved and a Luke Broderick bicycle kick was misdirected.

We continued to fight for a first goal, creating several chances that wouldn’t stay down. Our best chance came in the final minutes when an initial shot was saved at full stretch before a crazy deflection prevented what looked like a certain goal.

Matt Ridenton pulled back a consolation goal in the 95th minute, picking the bottom right corner from the edge of the box to prove that we could score, despite our misfortune. Two shots on target from fourteen summarised a difficult night in front of goal. We will take what we learnt and move on to the next challenge.