Our Lions Women fought proudly in pink, accepting a tense 2-1 defeat in the Brisbane Classico at Luxury Paints Stadium
Wearing our limited edition Spoke to a Bloke jerseys as we stepped onto the field at Luxury Paints Stadium, our Lions Women looked fantastic in pink. The atmosphere was brilliant, and the energy was enthusiastic as we kicked off our mental health awareness round in support of the Spoke to a Bloke charity.
After a balanced opening fifteen minutes, our Lions Women had the better of the chances. A dangerous ball into the box caused chaos, but City cleared their lines to defer the early threat. Minutes later, Scarlett Premerl slipped Anna Soulsby off the right shoulder, but her effort from the right side of the box was skewed off target.
A misplaced pass slipped City in behind one-on-one, but Elli Chapple made a sensational save with her left leg to block a well-placed strike. It was a jaw-dropping save, but unfortunately, soon after, the visitors found their breakthrough with a calm Ayesha Norrie finish from the centre of the box.
Our spirit wasn’t dampened, and business resumed. The chances we created continued to be creative and effective – all that was missing was the ball to hit the back of the net. A quick pass forward from Evelyn Calhoon found Scarlett Premerl, who bounced a return pass to Abbey Lloyd, but her firm first-time effort was tipped shy of the bottom left corner!
Amy Gunston embarked on a sly slaloming run that saw her cut diagonally across the box, but she was dispossessed on the edge of the box before she could place her shot. Evelyn whipped a crafty first-time cross towards the back post, which was met by Amy, and her flick-on met Anna Soulsby, who volleyed a direct shot over the crossbar.
Less than ten minutes before the break, Tatum Mazis buried an outrageous freekick into the top left corner to double their advantage. A sharp punch, but a game far from over.
Minutes before the interval, Anna Soulsby pulled back a fantastic goal, meeting an aerial ball at the back post, and slicing a composed volley across the keeper and into the back of the net!
42′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Our first goal in pink 🤩
Anna Soulsby slices across the keeper at the back post to pull us back into the game!
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 2 𝐁𝐂𝐘#HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD pic.twitter.com/S6TRqaHi46
— Lions FC (@lionsfc1) March 28, 2026
The second half resumed with an important challenge to overcome. It was a controlled, measured restart, and our defence was called upon to make several key interventions. Abbey Lloyd made a crucial defensive header to protect the goal as City looked to re-establish their two-goal lead.
Libby Cybulski saw a powerful shot blocked on the edge of the box. Her shot ended up falling to Scarlett Premerl, who slashed a first-time effort wide of the bottom left corner! Elli Chapple made a fine diving one-v-one save to prevent the visitors from scoring after a quick transition, and Abbey Lloyd cut inside and hooked an arcing effort inches shy of the top right corner!
Despite a strong final push to recover a draw, the referee’s whistle sounded, and our Lions Women were bested 2-1.
A massive thank you to Nic Whiteside and our NPL Women for getting behind the movement with so much enthusiasm! The Limited Edition Pink Jerseys are available for auction, with all profits being donated to the Spoke to a Bloke Foundation! See the full auction HERE.
MATCH DETAILS:
NPL Women: Round 8
Lions FC 1 – 2 Brisbane City FC
Goalscorers:
Anna Soulsby 42′
