NPLW R3 | NPL R1
LIONS WOMEN & MEN TRIUMPH IN A FOOTBALL FOUNDATION CUP DOUBLE HEADER
Our Lionesses continued their perfect start to the season, fighting from behind in the second half to claim a 2-1 victory over Peninsula Power. On the same evening, our Lions men rallied in the second half, forcing a late draw before taking the title in a thrilling penalty shootout.
LIONS VS PENINSULA POWER: NPL WOMEN
After going behind early in the second half, our Lionesses bounced back with a late quickfire double to claim a first Football Foundation Cup title.
Despite a lively first half that saw us create several dangerous chances, our Lions women were unlucky to head into the break goalless. The workload doubled when Christina Amajouyi caught Chapple by surprise, floating home an accurate, spinning effort into the top right corner at the near post.
When we needed a quick response, the experience of both Teagan Thompson and Tegan Riding saw us flip the result within 5 minutes. Thompson drilled home across the keeper’s body after using her body to guide an overhead ball into the box. Riding latched onto a long ball minutes later, rounding the keeper with poise before placing home the match-winner.
LIONS VS REDLANDS UNITED: NPL MEN
Redlands stunned us early, but our Lions rallied late in the game to force home an equaliser before claiming a maiden Football Foundation Cup after an exhilarating penalty shootout.
Starting the match with energy, our Lions were unlucky to be denied an early penalty before Ellenger struck gold, steering an arrow into the bottom left corner with his back towards Munford’s goal.
We remained focused, starting the second half with intent and continuing to create chances after having an early equaliser disallowed. A Louis Fenton red card threatened to worsen matters, but our Lions showed resilience, with Duckworth stamping home the equaliser from close range in the final ten minutes.
While the NPL match ended in a draw, we entered a penalty shootout to decide the victor of the Football Foundation Cup. Two fine saves from Aiden Munford helped us win lift silverware after the shootout went to sudden death. Redlands held the advantage as they stepped up to take the final penalty, but Munford showed character to save Tate’s strike, sending us to sudden death where Joel Starr would score the decider.
Follow our Instagram & Facebook pages to see the full post-match interview from Darren Sime and Rob Askew.
