Our Lions Women secure a 3-0 victory in Tallebudgera, outclassing Gold Coast United in a cohesive and complete display.
Playing at Coplicks Family Sports Park for the first time this season, our Lions Women stepped onto the field for a Round 1 rematch. A few rotations to the starting lineup; the girls were ready to deliver.
Abbey Lloyd found space to guide a rising effort over the crossbar from the edge of the box, setting the tone early. A lapse in focus and an unforced error soon allowed the hosts to surge down the centre, but we recovered quickly to prevent any damage. It was an early warning sign that we quickly learned from.
With possession heavy around the Gold Coast United box, Molly Simonson forced a stunning save at point-blank range to deny a powerful trivella from hitting the back of the net. Misfortune followed for the keeper, who, less than a minute later, misjudged a sinking Chelsea Fairbairn corner, hitting the ball backwards into her own goal.
A promising lead and momentum in our favour, our Lions Women maintained a high calibre. The second goal followed ten minutes later, with Evelyn Calhoon bursting down the left channel, drawing the keeper at her near post before a smart layoff set Anna Soulsby to open the scoring.
27′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Evelyn Calhoon combines with Anna Soulsby, who finishes calmly from the centre of the box 👌
𝐆𝐂𝐔 0 – 2 𝐋𝐈𝐎#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD pic.twitter.com/FxkTqXmlbV
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) April 11, 2026
Looking for a brace, Anna sliced inside sharply on the edge of the box, but curled her effort north of the top right corner! And minutes before the break, Molly Simonson made it three with a clinical near-post finish that ricocheted off the keeper and into the top left corner!
41′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!
Molly Simonson rounds off an emphatic first half with tidy back-post finish into the roof of the net 🔥
𝐆𝐂𝐔 0 – 3 𝐋𝐈𝐎#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD pic.twitter.com/FcpimBdyLP
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) April 11, 2026
We entered the break leading 3-0. Effectively putting the game to bed before the break, but knowing the hard work was far from over.
The second half gave us the liberty of time. Pressure off while the hosts chased three goals, and we were able to remain composed, pick our moments, and maintain control without urgency.
An excellent chance on the hour mark saw Scarlett Premerl slip Anna Soulsby free with a swift long-ball. Anna closed in on the keeper, looking to tuck a low shot inside the near post, but meeting a reactive shin save from the keeper.
Georgie Zerbst, who has enjoyed a bright start to her Lions career with our U23s, made her official senior NPL debut when she stepped onto the field. Her immense talent and quality were evident in her thirty-minute stint.
Scarlett showed persistence, skill, and elegance to skip through a series of aggressive challenges from behind, turning her defender inside out before skirting around her and delivering a slick ball into the path of Amy Gunston. Amy’s first-time effort was blasted over the woodwork!
It was almost a screamer from Daisey Bateman (who tends to only score screamers), cutting inside on the left side of the box and aiming a missile at the top left corner. A firm palm tipped her effort over the crossbar.
Abbey Lloyd pounced on a dangerous loose ball in the box, but a strong save denied her late in the game.
The final whistle sounded, and our Lions Women extend the gap between fourth and fifth. Now, we can turn our focus to hunting the teams above! Congratulations to Nic Whiteside and our Lions Women on a sharp, cohesive performance on the road. Three points well seized.
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 10
Gold Coast United 0 – 3 Lions FC
Goalscorers:
Own Goal 16′
Anna Soulsby 27′
Molly Simonson 41′
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | We leave the Gold Coast with three points, three goals, and a classy performance to build on ✨☀️#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/RoViQszX1Z
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) April 11, 2026
