A LATE ATTEMPT TO FIGHTBACK AGAINST THE HOSTS, BUT OUR LIONS WOMEN SUCCUMBED TO A 2-1 DEFEAT AT HEATH PARK
Facing Eastern Suburbs for the third time this season, and with two intense 4-3 defeats behind us, our Lions Women started with focus in enemy territory. But, in familiar fashion, Easts struck first with an early goal to break the deadlock. A quick counterattack and swift cross set the challenge inside ten minutes.
Tiarna Karambasis tested the keeper with a strong half-volley from the edge of the box as our Lions Women looked for a quick response. A great turn and cross by Rachel Dudley fashioned time at the back post for Amy Gunston, but her header was caught by the keeper!
With a promising start behind us, we entered the break trailing 1-0 against Eastern Suburbs.
The second half started with a sudden spell of heavy rainfall, and Elli Chapple was forced to make an early save as Easts targeted another quick goal. But the early goal fell anyway, with a deep cross clashing with the crossbar after a corner, and landing on the goal-line for one of their forwards to bury at point-blank range.
Amy Gunston created a string of close chances as we fought to recover a goal in the final thirty minutes, and Meaghan McElligott and Tonia-Marie Rantucci were both denied late in the game. The moment final fell in stoppage time, with Shianna Singh guiding a fierce first-time effort into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box!
90+1′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Shianna Singh gives us hope with a piercing strike into the bottom right corner!
𝐄𝐀𝐒 2 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 2, 2025
With five minutes of stoppage time to carve an equaliser, our Lions Women threw everything in our arsenal at the Tigers. A handful of chances came painfully close, and Tonia-Marie Rantucci came agonisingly close to the equaliser with a powerful low effort towards the bottom right corner. Somehow, from close range, her strike was saved by the keeper in what ended up being the final action of the game.
Our U23s Women returned to winning ways with a statement 3-0 victory over Eastern Suburbs that will improve their chances of securing a top-four finish in a tightly-contested battle between the top six. Lizzie Drummond scored twice, and Chloe Kerswell scored the third as our U23s Women surged to victory in the second half.
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 24
Eastern Suburbs 2 – 1 Lions FC
Heath Park
