NPLW Round #9: Five-Star Football

THREE CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES FOR OUR LIONS WOMEN AFTER A FOCUSED PERFORMANCE IN NUDGEE

Our Lions Women continued their brilliant turn of form, securing another cleansheet with their highest victory of the 2024 season.

A high-tempo start to the match saw our Lions Women surge into an early lead through Meaghan McElligott. Running into space down the centre, a well-weighted ball from Tui Dugan met in space, giving her the time and room to dispatch a measured shot into the top left corner.

We continued to mount the pressure, forcing a second save minutes later before Emily Clark was called on down the opposite end to clear a dangerous counterattack.

Meaghan McElligott wrestled possession high, firing a powerful strike into the left post before Missy Brayshaw tried her luck from range. Alyssa Cox burst down the left flank, holding off her challenger before rifling a left-footed effort into the left stick.

We doubled our lead on the half-hour mark, with Meaghan McElligott once again proving vital. A thunderous volley clattered in off the crossbar, making it 2-0 after excellent first-time build-up play in the final third.

The offside flag prevented QAS from recovering a goal, sending our Lions into the interval with a comfortable lead to build on.

We started the second half with composure, controlling the game while searching for our third. It came on the hour, with Alyssa Cox surging down the left flank and powering a left-footed effort into the top left corner.

Meaghan McElligott earned her hattrick in the final quarter of the game, finishing sharply past an on-rushing keeper after a great two-touch counterattack down the centre of the field. Chloe Dale made it 5-0 minutes later with a calm finish at the back post. It was her first goal of the season.

We stayed sharp for the final ten minutes, quashing any threat from QAS to see out the game as 5-0 victors.