OUR LIONS WOMEN WERE RESCUED A CRUCIAL POINT AT THE DEATH IN A TENSE BATTLE AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
An exceptionally vibrant start at Luxury Paints Stadium saw our Lions Women create three promising chances within the opening fifteen minutes. Scarlett Premerl, with a hat trick of would-be goals, saw two first-time shots saved reactively by the keeper, while her outstretched toe steered another effort wide.
Despite our strong start, Souths United grew into the game and exposed our high defensive line with several long balls into space. Tia Appoo came back to haunt us, catching Elli Chapple out of position and floating a long-distance effort into the back of an empty net.
Souths United took control of the momentum as our Lions Women were burdened by the offside flag, and Elli Chapple made two critical saves to preserve the one-goal deficit. The second save fell on the stroke of half-time and saw her dive brilliantly across goal to push a powerful shot away from the top left corner!
We entered the break with a 1-0 lead to turn around.
We looked for an avenue back into the game after a measured start to the second half. It was difficult to create chances, and Souths defended with care, but Meaghan McElligott produced a miracle from the bench.
A threaded cross from the corner bounced untouched inside the near post, catching everyone off guard and bringing us level!
64′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Meaghan McElligott threads the needle from the corner with a stunning 𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘰 🪡🚀
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 1 𝐒𝐎𝐔#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) April 5, 2025
The joy was incredibly short-lived, with Souths United also scoring from a corner sixty seconds later. The ball bounced dangerously inside the box and was slashed home from close range to restore their lead.
Tonia-Marie looked to respond to their response, but her fierce strike was paried into the crossbar desperately, and the danger was dealt with before our Lions Women could intervene.
Elli Chapple made a necessary diving save to prevent Souths from finding a third, and two minutes later Tara O’Keeffe over-hit a chipped half-volley as she looked to catch the keeper off her line.
The ball refused to fall for us as we battled for the leveller. An initial cross was blocked awkwardly behind Shianne Rosselli’s attacking run, and the follow-up strike was saved reactively by the keeper.
Souths looked certain to claim a famous three points, when Rachel Dudley arrived in the 93rd minute to bury a fierce strike under the keeper and into the back of the net to equalise. A crucial point at home against the league leaders and an example of our refusal to surrender!
90+3′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Salvation at the death! Rachel Dudley rifles a first-time strike underneath the keeper to draw level 🔥🔥🔥
𝐋𝐈𝐎 2 – 2 𝐒𝐎𝐔#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) April 5, 2025
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Women: Round 5
Lions FC 2 – 2 Souths United
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands
