NPLW R18, NPLM R14
Both our Lions Men & Women dominated on the road, keeping a cleansheet as they rode out comprehensive victories.
LIONS VS SOUTHS UNITED: NPL WOMEN
Identical halves saw our Lionesses dismantle Souths with defensive expertise and relentless attacking pressure.
Fine saves from both keepers set the tone across a goalless opening half hour, with Riding watching several fine attempts parried away. Elli Chapple pulled off a sensational diving save to prevent a powerful freekick from breaching the top right corner while our defence remained firm against an attacking Souths outfit.
As per usual, it was Tegan Riding who broke the deadlock, rolling home the opening goal after a neat exchange of passes between herself and Rebecca Kirkup.
We doubled our lead on the brink of half-time through Kalli Cowles, who planted a bullet header into the left-side netting following a set-piece.
Following the restart, we left no room for Souths to attempt a comeback, with Amy Gunston scoring a late brace to make it ten goals in all competitions.
Our Lionesses will return next weekend at Luxury Paints Stadium, where they will take on Mitchelton in the Kappa Women’s Super Cup Semi-Final.
Goalscorers:
30’ | Tegan Riding
42’ | Kalli Cowles
71’, 86’ | Amy Gunston
LIONS VS BRISBANE CITY: NPL MEN
A lone goal on either side of the interval saw our Lions Men battle out a deserved 2-0 victory in a heated Brisbane Classico.
It wouldn’t be a Brisbane Classico without physicality and aggression, and that was apparent from the first minute, with several fouls drawn from both sides across the opening ten minutes.
We created the better of the chances across the opening stages, with Ridenton narrowly missing the near post following a Duckworth set-piece and Pengelly forcing a powerful shot shy of the bottom left corner.
Ivan Ozzi broke the deadlock this time, rising at the back post to nod home a Matt Ridenton cross. Very similar to their late combination for the winner against Redlands United.
We carried that momentum into the break, flying into the second half with energy and intention. Jackson Hart-Phillips doubled our advantage within ten minutes of the restart, tucking a slashed cross into the bottom left corner after a flurry of shots and tackles eventually opening up for him.
Luke Borean stepped up with a massive save at his near post to prevent City from threatening a comeback, following up minutes later with another massive parry at his near post as the hosts attempted to pull a goal back.
We defended with grit until the final whistle blew, securing a return to the NPL top four. Our Lions face an inform Brisbane Roar Youth next Friday as they look to get revenge for our slender away win earlier this season.
Goalscorers:
37’ | Ivan Ozzi
52’ | Jackson Hart-Phillips
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