NPLM R20, NPLW R25
Our Lions Men are forced to accept a late draw while our Lions Women wrapped up a third-successive Premiership with a stylish victory in Yeronga.
LIONS VS GOLD COAST KNIGHTS: NPL MEN
A proper old-school ‘Golazo’ from Matt Ridenton provided joy on the Gold Coast, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory as a late penalty undoes a hard-fought performance.
Shaun Carlos returned to the starting XI after a spell on the sidelines due to injury. His leadership showed as we fended off a strong, attack-minded Knights side, preventing them from creating too much danger.
Carlos created our first meaningful chance of the match, orchestrating a move that saw snap a low strike towards the bottom left corner after strong hold-up play from Ivan Ozzi.
Ozzi created constant danger down the flank, taking on opponents with pace and strength while holding up the ball and making key passes in vital spaces. Our defence were counted on against a constant onslaught from the hosts, but they stood firm, with Jarrard and Ramazani making several crucial blocks and Borean pulling off a series of fine saves to preserve our cleansheet.
The hosts looked certain to score before the break, bursting into the box and forcing an incredible diving save by Borean, who blocked a powerful low strike with his right foot. This save loosely resembled Iker Casillas’ 1v1 save against Arjen Robben in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Grand Final.
We entered the break on level terms and came out with intent after the first whistle. Matt Ridenton, a player who only scorers worldies, stepped up with the crucial moment. Arriving late in the box following a Joe Duckworth corner, Ridenton met the ball at the back post, half-volleying a pin-point strike into the top left corner with composure.
We continued to defend in numbers following the breakthrough, with Borean making several crucial saves as we looked to double our advantage. A late goal-line scramble saw our Lions clear the danger as the ball threatened to cross.
A late penalty, unfortunately, undid ninety minutes of tireless work, condemning us to a draw as we looked to solidify our position in the top four.
Goalscorers:
53’ | Matt Ridenton
HT: LIO 0-0 GCK
FT: LIO 1-1 GCK
LIONS VS OLYMPIC FC: NPL WOMEN
We got the job done in the first half and secured a third consecutive Premiership in the second.
With the stage set for our Lionesses to three-peat the Premiership, our Lions Women wasted no time getting the job done in Yeronga.
Tegan Riding won a penalty ten minutes in, but Meghan McElligott’s attempt was saved by the keeper. We didn’t lose focus. Within 60 seconds, Tiarna Karambasis had broken the deadlock, arcing a looping header over the keeper at the back post following a corner. An excellent leap and pin-point accuracy broke the deadlock.
Tegan Riding, who scored the Premiership-securing goal last year at home, added her stamp of approval with a neat finish into the bottom left corner after cutting into the box with composure.
Tia Appoo put the flourishing touches on an excellent first-half display, meeting a Tegan Riding cross at the near post and slashing it into the roof of the net at the near post.
Olympic kicked off the second half in a balanced 45 minutes that saw us control possession and see out the result. At full-time, we celebrated a third successive Premiership after a difficult season that has seen us adapt to the challenge of several strong challengers, enduring difficult spells while continuing to fight for results.
Goalscorers:
12’ | Tiarna Karambasis
14’ | Tegan Riding
39’ | Tia Appoo
HT: LIO 3-0 OLY
FT: LIO 3-0 OLY
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