NPLW R17, NPLM R13
Our Lions Men fell short against Sunshine Coast Wanderers, while our Lionesses steamrolled QAS in a stylish display at home.
LIONS VS SUNSHINE COAST WANDERERS: NPL MEN
Intense, demanding, physical and fast-paced, our Lions Men lost narrowly in an entertaining game of football at Luxury Paints Stadium.
We dominated possession across the opening half, focusing our key attacks down the left flank through Ivan Ozzi, who guided several chances wide and forced a goal-line clearance.
Ryo Ono was active across the final third, orchestrating our attack down the centre while drifting into space to pick up the ball. He came close several times, forcing a fine save in a half that eventually ended goalless.
Nothing changed after the restart, and both sides performed at the same high calibre. Our defence remained sound against a strong opposition while we continued to create danger in the final third.
With twenty minutes remaining and the game looking like it could go any direction, it was Sunshine Coast Wanderers who broke down the centre and slotted the ball underneath an on-rushing Luke Borean.
Matt Ridenton came close to levelling the tie with a stunning long-range effort, but a fine save prevented the breakthrough as the guests saw out the match in a 1-0 victory.
LIONS VS QAS: NPL WOMEN
Three goals on either side of the break saw our Lions Women run rampant at home in a composed demonstration of football.
Our Lionesses started on the front foot as usual, taking the lead within twenty minutes after a class finish from Tegan Riding, who darted between the lines and steered an off-balance strike into the bottom left corner with the outside of her boot.
Meghan McElligott stroked the ball across the goal to double our lead before Rebecca Kirkup guided home our third on the brink of half-time. This goal saw us effectively seal the game before the break.
We didn’t lose focus, kicking off the second half with the same intention. It took just 23 seconds for Amy Gunston to tap home our fourth of the evening. Within ten minutes of the restart, Amy had a brace courtesy of another ‘right place, right time’ goal.
Tia Appoo joined from the bench, thumping home a powerful header from the centre of the box after a corner. We saw out the rest of the game for a comprehensive 6-0 victory.
Goalscorers:
17’ | Tegan Riding
28’ | Meghan McElligott
42’ | Rebecca Kirkup
46, 52’ | Amy Gunston
70’ | Tia Appoo
Follow our Instagram & Facebook pages to see the full post-match interview from Rob Askew & Darren Sime.
