Two goals after the break saw our Lions Women fight from behind to defeat Sunshine Coast Wanderers 2-1 in Buderim
A delay in kickoff due to field lines not being painted meant our late night became even later. A bus ride from The Lion and an uncertain warm-up, where both teams were waiting to hear if the game would go ahead, and the ball eventually got rolling thanks to the help of the Sunshine Coast Wanderers volunteers!
We created an early chance through Abbey Lloyd, who surged down the centre of the park before playing a wide ball to Anna Soulsby in space. Her shot was saved at the near post, and our Lions Women continued to push for an early breakthrough.
It was the hosts, however, who struck first on the night, with former Lion Macey Edward placing a bouncing strike neatly in the right side-netting from the edge of the box. A satisfying goal, but a challenge too.
Anna Soulsby swung a sharp volley over the crossbar after a great run & delivery from Scarlett Premerl, and Emileigh Bowman sent a long-range strike north of the goal as our Lions Women looked for a quick avenue back into the game.
With sound defending from the Sunny Coast Wanderers, our Lions Women entered the break trailing 1-0.
The bar was raised after the break, and our Lions Women returned to the pitch with a collective focus and conviction. Anna Soulsby forced an early save from the keeper, and minutes before the hour mark, Evelyn Calhoon delivered the first blow.
A clean cross from the corner, glanced into the top right corner off the head of a Wanderers defender!
58′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Evelyn Calhoon’s excellent corner delivery forces an own goal at the back post! Our Lions Women are back on equal terms 🔥
𝐒𝐂𝐖 1 – 1 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD pic.twitter.com/PCo9pyhq0i
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 18, 2026
We continued to increase the calibre, and if became a matter of when, not if, we would find the go-ahead goal.
Abbey Lloyd popped up with the winner, flicking a low front-post header across the keeper and into the bottom right corner after a mazy run and a well-placed cross from Evelyn Calhoon!
69′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Abbey Lloyd pins a brilliant front-post header across the keeper and into the bottom right corner after a supurb byline delivery from Evelyn Calhoon 🎯👊
𝐒𝐂𝐖 1 – 2 𝐋𝐈𝐎 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD pic.twitter.com/rU2JGFyduF
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 18, 2026
It was a brilliant response, and our Lions Women continued to look for the security goal as the hosts came out of their shell to push for an equaliser. Scarlett Premerl made two excellent runs into the box, forcing near-post saves on both occasions.
When the final whistle rang, we celebrated a really brave, gritty, hard-fought win against an opponent who never make life easy on the road. It marked our first victory to break our three-game winless run, and showed the tenacity and togetherness of this group.
Well done to Nic Whiteside and the girls!
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 5
Sunshine Coast Wanderers 1 – 2 Lions FC
