RESOLUTE DEFENDING SAW OUR LIONS WOMEN TRADE ONE POINT IN A BALANCED BRISBANE CLASSICO
The first half was steady and uneventful under gentle rainfall at Luxury Paints Stadium.
Chloe Dale created our first chance of the half with a sinking cross aimed towards the back post. The first ball was headed clear, and Rachel Dudley rushed in to skew a first-time volley over the crossbar.
While we controlled possession for the majority of the half, Elli Chapple was forced to make a sudden save at her bottom left corner as Brisbane City threatened with an unexpected shot.
The visitors attempted to find space in behind, and Ruby Suitor made a crucial challenge on the half-hour mark to prevent a dangerous shot across goal. With limited chances apiece, we entered the half pinned level without any goals.
The balance continued after the break. An early chance for Brisbane City saw Libby Cybulski beaten for pace, but Elli Chapple made a brilliant one-v-one save, dropping to the ground with an outstretched arm. Libby cleared the danger before City could pounce on the loose ball.
Shianne Rosselli won possession in dangerous territory, guiding a rising effort over the crossbar from a slender angle down the left flank. McKinley Stiff was denied from close range two minutes later, reacting to a deflected strike from Kiersten Yuhas.
We surged forward in the final minutes, hunting for a breakthrough, but couldn’t strike the back of the net. Tonia-Marie Rantucci’s near-post cross caused a scramble in the centre, but the ball fell awkwardly and was recovered by the keeper!
Despite our drive, we settled for a goalless stalemate. We’ll have another chance this weekend as we face Brisbane City on Saturday evening at Imperial Corp Stadium.
NPL Women: Round 8
Lions FC 0 – 0 Brisbane City
Luxury Paints Stadium
