NPLM R9, NPLW R12
TEN MEN & TENSION AS OUR MEN FOUGHT OUT A DRAW WHILE OUR LIONESSES SWEPT POWER ASIDE IN A MOONLIT DOUBLE-HEADER
A determined defensive display saw our outnumbered Lions Men fight out a close draw in a tense clash. In contrast, our Lions women dominated Power with a Tegan Riding hattrick inspiring the result.
LIONS VS GOLD COAST KNIGHTS: NPL MEN
Our Lions resist the Knights and grind out a tense draw with ten men.
Despite leading at the break, our Lions Men were forced to dig in and defend with grit after an early second-half equaliser, and a Jackson Hart-Phillips red card turned the match momentum against us.
After a patient first half with limited shots from either side, our Lions broke the deadlock minutes before the break. Pengelly made it ten goals in all competitions, nodding home via the woodwork after a rising Ridby strike.
Knights’ response after the break was immediate, with the Croatian side levelling the scores minutes after the restart. Bradden Inman lifted the ball over Borean’s head with composure.
Our fortune worsened before the hour mark, with Jackson Hart-Phillips expelled through a straight red card after a desperate last-man challenge on the edge of the box prevented an almost certain goal.
We hardened up at the back, sacrificed our fluidity for robust defence, and protected our goal from an attack-oriented Knights side. Ramazani made several crucial challenges, Munford (Subbed on for an injured Borean) made a decisive diving save in stoppage time, and Jarrard almost stole the points in the final minute with an acrobatic effort in the box.
Despite the challenge, we showed mettle in defying the pressure and fought out a draw.
LIONS VS PENINSULA POWER: NPL WOMEN
Tegan Riding impresses with another match-winning treble in a dominant and expansive performance from our Lionesses.
Our Lionesses started fast, as they always tend to do, with Tegan Riding breaking the deadlock after the tenth minute with aplomb. A stunning cross-turned-shot arced over a helpless keeper and into the far side-netting with grace.
By the thirtieth minute, Riding had knocked again, rifling a right-footed volley into the centre of the goal from the edge of the box. Riding was the difference as we entered the break against a well-drilled Power outfit.
Jamilla Rankin didn’t put a foot wrong in her full debut, defending with composure and locking down the left file against any Peninsula Power threat.
Power’s fate was effectively secured before the hour mark, with Tegan Riding marking her 15th NPL goal of the season with another hattrick and another deft & decisive finish.
Despite a late goal from Power that threatened our safe lead, our Lionesses saw out the game with composure and reaffirmed their position at the top of the table.
Follow our Instagram & Facebook pages to see the full post-match interview from Rob Askew & Darren Sime.
