NPLW R11, NPLM R8
LIONS WOMEN SEE OFF THE WANDERERS WHILE THE ROVERS OVERRUN OUR MEN IN A SATURDAY DOUBLE HEADER AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
A blistering start saw our Lionesses finish the game before the interval, seeing out the second half with composure. Our Lions men failed to follow up at home, falling against a disciplined Rovers in a lacklustre display.
LIONS VS SUNSHINE COAST WANDERERS: NPL WOMEN
A flawless opening half saw our Lionesses race into a three-goal lead, with Zara Kruger scoring on her return to Luxury Paints Stadium.
After securing her 200th NPL career goal last weekend, Tegan Riding wasted no time adding to her streak, opening the scoring within ten minutes of the match after guiding a sensational strike into the deepest point of the top right corner.
An immediate follow-up from Rebecca Kirkup doubled our lead after an excellent sweeping counterattack. We maintained control throughout the half, dominating the midfield as Zara Kruger, on her return, swept a pass-like shot into the bottom right corner from an audacious distance.
With a three-goal cushion at the interval, our Lionesses saw out the second half with calmness, settling into the result and defending with composure. Several more efforts forced fine saves from Lewerenz, and Jamilla Rankin made her debut on the left side of defence and helped us maintain our cleansheet.
LIONS VS ROCHEDALE ROVERS: NPL MEN
Despite starting on the front foot, our Lions men were punished at home after an uninspired response against a focused Rochedale Rovers side.
Everything started our way against The Rovers. We dominated possession, showed intent and were proactive when progressing the ball into the final third. Several attempts failed to go our way until Joe Duckworth broke the deadlock, hooking the ball across the keeper and into the right side-netting after a relentless run from Ryo Ono and a deft pass from Louis Fenton.
The momentum lasted just 60 seconds, with The Rovers bursting straight from kick-off and drawing a penalty. Harry Talbot slotted away his spot kick with composure, and suddenly, our Lions were back at square one.
Within five minutes, Joshua Moreland had rounded Munford on the break to stroke home their breakthrough before Mitchell Roberts tucked home the match-winner on the brink of half-time.
Despite approaching the second half in a far more attacking context, our Lions men could not break through a rigid and defiant Rochedale Rovers side. Several shots, an assortment of substitutions and a constant flow of attacking balls were all ineffective against a side determined to leave with all three points.
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