A game where ideas failed to translate on the field, and our Lions Women are dealt a 4-2 defeat by Gold Coast Knights at Luxury Paints Stadium
The most ideal start saw us pick up exactly where we left off in our last game at Luxury Paints Stadium. A long ball bounced towards the edge of the box, and Anna Soulsby won the duel, lifting a first-time chip over Emily Clark and catching her completely off her line. Awesome start!
5′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Anna Soulsby with a glorious first-time chip to catch the keeper exposed! Brilliant instinct 🏹🔥
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 0 𝐆𝐂𝐊#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) February 28, 2026
Despite the confidence our early opener provided, last year’s Premiers quickly responded, and Harriet Withers fired a first-time strike across Elli Chapple and into the top right corner after a period of pressure that saw our Lions Women unable to adequately clear their lines.
A long-range freekick forced a reactive save from Elli as Knights’ looked to quickly capitalise on the shift in momentum, but Scarlett Premerl kept the chances flowing for our Lions Women – Showing aggression to wrestle possession of the last defender, Scarlett tore down the right flank, but saw her cutback to Anna Soulsby cleared before it could meet its mark.
We were given the rare opportunity to take an indirect freekick inside the box after Emily Clark picked up a pass received from her own teammate, but Scarlett’s effort missed the target at the near post.
Five minutes before the break, Harriet Withers placed an inswinging corner onto the head of Elli Chapple, and following a tussle on the goal-line, the ball ricocheted into the roof of the net in controversial fashion. We were behind for the first time this season.
The chance to equalise was nearly granted on the stroke of half-time, with Rachel Dudley doing remarkably well to pickpocket possession in the middle third before playing Anna through the centre. Her pass met Scarlett out wide, and her subsequent cross was cleared at the back post. We entered the break trailing 2-1.
We started the second half with intent, and a fine run off the shoulder ended with Scarlett being sliced down inside the box. It was a strange passage of play, minutes after the restart. The referee initially waved play on, insinuating that there was no foul, but then, moments later, as the game had progressed beyond that moment, the referee suddenly pointed to the penalty spot and brandished a yellow card.
Of course, we’re not arguing. And so Emileigh Bowman stepped up to the spot, and with no sign of pressure, planted a calm spotkick into the bottom right corner. Back in the game!
49′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
We draw level! Emileigh Bowman plants her penalty into the bottom right corner with composure!
𝐋𝐈𝐎 2 – 2 𝐆𝐂𝐊#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) February 28, 2026
Evelyn Calhoon cut inside and curled a rising effort off target as our Lions Women looked to capitalise on their resurgence with a go-ahead goal. Abbey Lloyd also stroked a curling effort away from the far-hand post after a strong passage of play to advance up the field.
Knights drew next blood with a thunderous forty-yard strike rifled straight into the top left corner, and all we could do was sigh. An excellent and effectively unstoppable strike.
With the visitors in command again, they quickly doubled their advantage and gave us a mountain to climb. A perfectly-delivered cross arrived at the back post, and was volleyed clean into the upper right corner with incredible composure. Two beautiful goals inside six minutes, and the balance shifted in the blink of an eye.
There were several chances that followed as we looked for a route back into the game. A notable attempt from Anna forced a comfortable save, and Elli was fantastic in her own box to prevent the scoreline from growing. But Knights dug deep and saw out a dramatic 4-2 victory, sentencing us to our first defeat of 2026.
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 | Our first defeat of the season is served at home. Ideas wouldn’t translate, and it wasn’t a display we would call our finest, but there are lessons to be taken, and we’re ready to bounce back 🧡💙#HeartPridePassion pic.twitter.com/2691Ag0IYq
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) February 28, 2026
Nic Whiteside shared his thoughts after the game, highlighting our strong response after the break despite conceding two immaculate goals.
“Look, I think it was too good sides, going head-to-head in battle, and two worldy goals, really simply. There were two really good goals that they scored, and you know, they’re the difference between the sides. You take those chances like that with a bit of quality. That’s what happens in football.
Like anything, sometimes you can put everything on the line and sort of start overthinking things. I thought we settled down a fair bit as the half got on, and when we came back into the game, I thought we were looking quite solid there. It felt like we could have come back out – the reaction at half-time was fantastic.
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 4
Lions FC 2 – 4 Gold Coast Knights
Goalscorers:
Anna Soulsby 5′
Emileigh Bowman 49′ (P)
