OUR LIONS WOMEN ARE HELD TO A 1-0 DEFEAT IN A FIERY CLASH AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
We kicked off a difficult clash against the Sunshine Coast Wanderers. There was little action in the opening minutes until the visitors struck early through Tyrah Dunn. A smart set-piece routine and a thumping header at the far post saw the Wanderers lead inside ten minutes.
Our best chance of the half came in the immediate minutes that followed. A swift cross into the centre found Tonia-Marie Rantucci inside the six-yard box, but her first-time effort was caught brilliantly by Anneka Lewerenz.
Both Chelsea Fairbairn and Rachel Dudley saw chances rise over the woodwork, and Meaghan McElligott guided a first-time effort wide after a slick cross from Shianne Rosselli overran Scarlett Premerl in the centre of the box.
We entered the break trailing 1-0 after a lacklustre start that saw us struggle to create opportunities in the final third.
The second half started with far more energy. Rachel Dudley drove a downward header wide at the back post, and Scarlett Premerl hooked a venomous volley over the crossbar!
Elli Chapple rushed off her line to make an interception, winning the ball before an audacious follow-up attempt caught her out of position and was blocked by the woodwork. Ten minutes later, Charlie Shanahan burst into space one-on-one, and Elli made a beautiful diving save to prevent their second goal.
Anneka Lewerenz made a ridiculous triple-save at her near post as we desperately fought for an equaliser. Both Chloe Dale and Tonia-Marie Rantucci are denied from a slender angle.
The game threatened to escape us as Tonia-Marie Rantucci was shown her second yellow card in the 70th minute. Despite several substitutions, we struggled to regain control over the match and were forced to leave the field with a frustrating 1-0 defeat.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Women: Round 2
Lions FC 0 – 1 Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands
