A fantastic second-half performance saw our Lions Women find the answers against Sunshine Coast Wanderers in the Female Football Week Magic Round at Nudgee Recreation Reserve
We started on the front foot before a lively crowd at Nudgee Recreation Reserve. Both teams walked onto the field with an important female figure as part of the FQ Magic Round. Then, Anna Soulsby got us started quickly with a sharp early chance that travelled wide at the back post.
Within fifteen minutes, our Lions Women had fashioned the opening goal, with Abbey Lloyd pouncing quickly after Tonia-Marie Rantucci’s curling effort from distance was parried by the keeper.
13′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Abbey Lloyd strikes first, finishing at close range after Tonia-Marie Rantucci’s curling effort was saved 🎯
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 0 𝐒𝐂𝐖#HeartPridePassion | #FemaleFootballWeek pic.twitter.com/lgZpA1fu93
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) May 9, 2026
We continued to create strong chances, with Evelyn Calhoon cutting inside and curling a fierce effort wide of the bottom right corner. Abby Evetts’ first-time strike missed the top right corner by inches, and Abbey Lloyd missed a close-range header after a stellar cross from debutant Natalie Tathem!
Despite a powerful catalogue of chances across the opening half, including Emileigh Bowman striking the crossbar at the top right with a marvellous effort from forty yards, the Wanderers managed to snatch one back before the break, with a quick breakaway sending us into the interval at 1-1.
Under a darkening sky, our Lions Women returned to the field with purpose. We demonstrated that purpose immediately, with Scarlett Premerl’s glancing front-post header sneaking inside the near post to restore our lead!
52′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Scarlett Premerl glances a front-post header inside the near post and we lead again in Nudge 🔥
𝐋𝐈𝐎 2 – 1 𝐒𝐂𝐖#HeartPridePassion | #FemaleFootballWeek pic.twitter.com/B5ORYp284y
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) May 9, 2026
Minutes later, Anna Soulsby delivered the best freekick you’ll see all season. A forty-yard missile, guided directly into the top left corner with flair!
56′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
ANNA SOULSBY BURIES A FORTY-YARD FREEKICK INTO THE TOP LEFT CORNER WITH ZERO MERCY 🚀🔥
𝐋𝐈𝐎 3 – 1 𝐒𝐂𝐖#HeartPridePassion | #FemaleFootballWeek pic.twitter.com/yL95NjfZOV
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) May 9, 2026
We maintained control after establishing our two-goal lead. It was a composed and well-managed final thirty minutes, with several more fantastic chances almost adding a fourth.
Scarlett Premerl was denied one-on-one, and Natalie Tathem forced an excellent low diving save. Anna Soulsby looked for her second, and the full-time whistle sounded to secure a positive result in the Magic Round!
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 13
Lions FC 3 – 1 Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Goalscorers:
Abbey Lloyd 13′
Scarlett Premerl 52′
Anna Soulsby 56′
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | It was a masterclass in the second half that saw our Lions Women fly to victory in the Magic Round 🤩
Brilliant goals. Positive football. Excellent display.#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/sw8fc2Cs6D
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) May 9, 2026
