NPLW Round #18: Second Half Double Secures Vital Points

MEAGHAN MCELLIGOTTS QUICKFIRE BRACE SAW OUR LIONS WOMEN BOUNCE BACK WITH A CRUCIAL WIN AT HOME

A composed and careful performance resulted in a refreshing 2-0 victory at Luxury Paints Stadium

QAS put up a strong defence, preventing our Lions from dominating the central areas of the final third. Mariel Hecher came closest in the opening fifteen minutes, slinking across the edge of the box before hooking a right-footed shot wide of the top left corner.

Despite winning almost a dozen corners, we struggled to create serious chances. Possession was exchanged back and forth in the centre by the minute. Meaghan McElligott cut inside and flashed a bouncing shot wide of the bottom right corner before Mariel Hecher wrestled possession inside the box and forced a brilliant save at the bottom left corner.

Scarlett Premerl burst into the box, but a crucial one-on-one save was the final action of a tense first half.

We started with intent. Meaghan McElligott broke the deadlock with a beautiful first-time chip that arced over the keeper and sunk into the right-side netting. Two minutes later, she cut inside and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner to double our advantage.

Emily Clark made a reactive diving save to preserve our cleansheet, before a brief blackout and Luxury Paints Stadium suspended the action.

An audacious effort from Mackenzie Nielsen after feinting across her defender forced a fine diving save, before a physical final ten minutes saw our Lions Women secure a crucial victory at home. After three straight NPL games without victory, it was a well-earned and hard-fought win at Luxury Paints Stadium.