NPLW Round #27: No Luck in Nudgee

OUR NPL LEAGUE CAMPAIGN ENDS IN DEFEAT ON A DIFFICULT EVENING AT NUDGEE RECREATION RESERVE

Goals from Meaghan McElligott and Tonia-Marie Rantucci weren’t enough as our Lions Women fought to come from three-nil down against a determined QAS side.

Despite a balanced introduction to the game, our Lions Women entered the interval with a mountain to climb after two quickfire goals from QAS sent us 2-0 down at Nudgee Recreation Reserve.

An initial save from Bella Shuttleworth forced the ball wide, but a quick cross to the back post and an awkward bounce in the centre allowed the hosts to pounce from close range to break the deadlock.

The second goal was a beautiful piece of football. A lofted aerial ball met the run of the attacker, who deftly rounded Bella on her first touch before planting a composed shot into the centre of the net.

We created several mild chances in the final ten minutes of the first half but entered the break with a two-goal margin to close.

A scramble in the box saw several shots blocked, with the QAS defence holding firm to prevent us from recovering a goal early in the second half.

Ellen Gett sent an audacious lashed shot across the goal, but Tonia-Marie Rantucci was unable to redirect the ball into the back of the net at the back post. The offside flag denied Alyssa Cox a goal before Bella Shuttleworth made a mindblowing one-on-one save with her outstretched leg to prevent the hosts from making it three.

With fifteen minutes remaining, the hosts found their third and put the game to bed. A glorious dipping strike that sunk into the upper left side netting from the opposite flank.

Meaghan McElligott reacted at the back post to recover a lifeline with ten minutes remaining. A glancing header met her run, and she redirected the ball smartly across the keeper and into the back of the net.

A crucial block prevented her from releasing a shot minutes later. We kept knocking in the final stages, creating several strong chances as we looked to recover a second goal.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Tonia-Marie Rantucci ducked at the back post to head a sinking cross into the roof of the net. With seconds on the clock, we look immediately for a miracle. Unfortunately, the referee’s whistle sounded and ended our NPL league campaign.

We turn our attention to our inaugural Kappa Queensland Cup Grand Final next weekend before preparing for the NPL Finals Series. It has been a difficult league campaign this season, but we are incredibly proud of the immense character, effort, and courage our Lions Women have displayed across the course of a competitive and arduous season.