LIONS U23 WOMEN FIGHT FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT BRISBANE CITY IN EXTRA TIME
Goals from Tia Appoo and Chloe Kerswell saw our U23s Women defeat Brisbane City 2-1 in extra-time at Underwood Park.
Brisbane City got off to a quick start at Underwood Park. An early effort struck the crossbar, and Sam Hughes was called on to make an important save at her near post.
On the twentieth minute, Jonti Fisher broke the deadlock, driving a piercing strike across goal and into the bottom left corner. It was difficult to create chances against City. Gabby Spence saw a first-time shot blocked at the back post, and Scarlett Premerl did well to slip Macey Edward into the box. Macey’s shot ricocheted over the keeper, but the danger was cleared before she could follow up.
Keisha Blaauw made a crucial challenge inside the box to prevent a deadly cut-back, and our Lions Women entered the break trailing by a lone goal.
We started the second half with far better energy. Tia Appoo sent our first warning shot, striking the crossbar with a dipping first-time effort from distance. Macey Edward made an excellent run off the shoulder but was unable to place her shot on target, and Arianna Skeers made a brilliant challenge on the edge of the box, winning the ball and driving forward in transition.
Sam Hughes lunged towards the top left corner to make a critical save as time continued to tick away for our U23s Women to find an equaliser. With ten minutes remaining, Macey Edward jinxed down the right flank, dribbling into the box and drawing a penalty.
Tia Appoo made no mistake, driving her penalty deep into the bottom left corner, beating the keeper to make it 1-1.
80′ | ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!!!
Tia Appoo picks the bottom left corner with a clinical penalty. A crucial goal to pull us level ๐ฅ
๐๐๐ 1 – 1 ๐๐๐ #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
โ Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) September 8, 2024
Despite promise from both sides, the game concluded at one-all, and we reset ahead of extra time.
Straight off the mark, our Lions Women claimed the lead inside two minutes. Tia Appoo once again struck the crossbar with a fierce attempt, and Chloe Kerswell reacted quickly. Rushing in at the back post, Chloe lifted the ball carefully over the keeper and into the centre of the net to make it 2-1.
92′ | ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!!!
Chloe Kerswell beats the keeper at the back post, reacting quickly after Tia Appoo’s effort struck the crossbar!!!
๐๐๐ 2 – 1 ๐๐๐ #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
โ Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) September 8, 2024
Two minutes later, she guided a powerful effort north of the top right corner as our Lions Women asserted themselves in extra time. Keisha Blaauw made another necessary sliding challenge to prevent City from shooting, and Samantha Hughes made an immense diving save to prevent a sharp low strike from finding the bottom corner.
With City piling on the pressure in the final minutes, a series of corners were dealt with under pressure by our U23s Women. An emphatic clearance at the near post eased the final wave, and the final whistle blew with relief.
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Congratulations to Amy Armistead and the girls on securing a second consecutive Championship title, and completing the league double. A Premiership and a Championship to represent the incredible character, dedication, and effort that our Lions U23s Women have shown across the course of this year.
