NPLW Round #12: Victory in Stoppage

LIONS WOMEN FIGHT FROM BEHIND WITH A STOPPAGE-TIME WINNER IN TALLEBDUGERA

After falling 2-0 down within three minutes, our Lions Women fought from behind against a strong Gold Coast United side to win 3-2 in stoppage time!

Bronte Rose punished our Lions Women early, securing a brace inside 180 seconds as we started the match on the weak foot. She muscled through Bella Shuttleworth before sliding the ball home inside one minute before finishing sharply from a tight angle to set us up with a mountain to climb.

We were slow to respond, creating several half-hearted chances through Tonia-Marie Rantucci and Meaghan McElligott. We continued to apply increasing pressure until Tonia-Marie Rantucci was barrelled into the keeper and awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Amy Gunston stepped up with mettle, burying her strike into the left side of the goal.

The second half started far better than the first, as we continued to win corners and created chances in search of an equaliser. Mariel Hecher and Tara O’Keeffe injected experience before the hour mark, and the leveller arrived shortly after. Mariel Hecher picked up the ball with space in the centre, driving forward before unleashing a trademark stunner into the top left corner with precision.

2-2 with thirty minutes remaining.

A well-placed corner looked certain to cross the line, but a back-post headed clearance kept the scores level. We surged forward with intent in the final minute, pushing for a winner as the clock ticked closer to full-time.

Until Amy Gunston stepped up again. Rising in the centre of the box following a corner in the 93rd minute, Amy planted a powerfully direct header into the back of the net to secure a famous victory and a remarkable comeback.

Our Lions Women prove once again that they refuse to be written off. We go again next week.