NPLW Round #13: Composed & Effective at Home

LIONS WOMEN SHOWCASE THEIR DOMINANCE WITH A DESERVED VICTORY OVER MITCHELTON AT HOME

Our Lions Women kept their composure in a measured 3-1 victory as we continue to move up the NPL Queensland table.

Tui Dugan brought the game to life in the first sequence of the game, breaking the deadlock discreetly with a beautiful backheel finish that nutmegged the keeper at her near post. Excellent attacking move.

We continued to push forward, with Meaghan McElligott seeing a goal denied by the offside flag before coming close with a powerful effort that rose high from close range. We saw a series of shots go amiss as the ball bounced unkindly at the front post following an initial save.

Amy Gunston made an excellent diagonal switch to Tonia-Marie Rantucci, who clipped the ball towards the back post for Meaghan McElligott. Her subsequent header went narrowly high.

Bella Shuttleworth made an authoritative diving save after a sharp effort from the hosts before Ellen Gett drilled an uncontrolled first-time effort high and wide. We entered the break with a slender one-goal advantage.

We started the second half much like the first. A goal within the first two minutes from Amy Gunston doubles our lead. It was a sharp, close-range finish that ricocheted off the keeper and into the roof of the net.

We continued to orchestrate the game, with Ellen Gett pulling the strings from her deeper position in midfield, and Tiarna Karambasis added experience and resolve in defence on her return to the club.

Mariel Hecher tried her luck from thirty yards, but her effort wouldn’t dip. It was Mitchelton who struck next, pulling back a goal with a powerful shot from close range. With twenty minutes remaining, the context of the game completely changed.

We struck the crossbar immediately in response before a flurry of shots directed by Mariel Hecher were blocked with resolution on the edge of the box. It took a late header from Amy Gunston to extend our lead and break Mitchelton’s defiance, earning us a crucial 3-1 victory at home as we continue to advance up the NPL table.