NPLW R22, NPLM R18
Two massive battles were settled in our favour after dominant performances on the road. Our Lionesses extended their lead at the top of the table with a hard-fought victory over Eastern Suburbs while our men shot down Olympic FC in a thrilling clash that saw us retain our place in the top four.
LIONS VS EASTERN SUBURBS: NPL WOMEN
A lone strike from Tegan Riding extended our lead ahead of Eastern Suburbs in a tense top-of-the-table clash that could have gone either way.
A strained introduction to the match saw both sides defend with composure, limiting chance creation and creating a high turnover of possession in the centre of the park. We looked to exploit Amy Gunston’s pace by feeding passes into space, but we could not capitalise on her attacking runs as an organised defence stepped up to halt our efforts.
With our first clear chance of the game, Tegan Riding took on the burden, picking up possession in midfield before charging down on goal and planting a precise strike into the bottom left corner. From there, we continued to exchange possession in midfield, defending as a unit while trying to create further goalscoring opportunities.
The second half started with a higher tempo, with Amy Gunston bearing down on goal before unleashing a powerful strike that the keeper blocked. Elli Chapple punched a dangerous cross clear before Amy Gunston clipped the crossbar from close range after a sly cross from Meghan McElligott.
We struck the crossbar again from range before seeing out a close 1-0 victory on the road. With Eastern Suburbs on our tails in second place, this victory was imperative in preserving our safety at the summit.
Our Lionesses are back in action against Capalaba this Sunday evening.
Goalscorers:
25’ | Tegan Riding
HT: LIO 1-0 EAS
FT: LIO 1-0 EAS
LIONS VS GOLD OLYMPIC FC: NPL MEN
A beautiful freekick from Joe Duckworth and an elegant finish from Andy Pengelly saw our Lions Men secure a famous late victory over Olympic FC.
As is typical in these matchups, both teams came out fast, attacking with intensity and defending with force in an end-to-end introduction that saw neither side pause to breathe.
Hassan Ramazani made a crucial clearance after an Olympic attack threatened an overload in our box, while Jackson Hart-Phillips came created our best chance of the first half, darting between two defenders and firing a shot wide of the left peg.
Nothing separated us at the break. Nor at the hour mark, where we continued to defend with composure against an Olympic side committed to doing the same. Neither side was willing to concede, and neither side could break the deadlock.
It took something remarkable. Joe Duckworth stepped up on the right side of the box to take a freekick. Thirty yards out, our midfield mastermind hooked a left-footed strike into the deepest point of the top right corner. A golden strike that broke open a forbidding game.
We capitalised on the momentum, with Duckworth playing a pivotal role as Andy Pengelly turned on his heel and rolled a low strike between three defenders to prick the bottom left corner.
With victory effectively secured, Ivan Ozzi set off to attempt the show-stopper, dropping three defenders before darting into a 1v1 position and blasting a powerful strike over the crossbar. The whistle blew in our favour.
This win sees us maintain our position in the top four while condemning Olympic to the relegation zone.
Goalscorers:
76’ | Joe Duckworth
82’ | Andy Pengelly
HT: LIO 0-0 OLY
FT: LIO 2-0 OLY
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