Report

First Home match in a while the girls were pumped from the warm up. Keeping up the vocals, they got off to a good start, moving the ball around well and getting early opportunities, keeping Stratford in their own half. After only 12 minutes, a good string of passes between Stacey, Steph and Sam gave Sam the opportunity to score the Lions first. 1-0 at 12minutes.

Continued possesion and pressure, the girls kept moving the ball around well, taking their time to get the ball up. At 16 minutes, Carly played a good through ball to Adelyn for a close range shot, which beat the keeper, but was controversially called offside.

Just 3 minutes later another 3 opportunites arose but the keeper was strong in the air denying all 3 shots. A great cross from the right wing by Adelyn to Stacey came straight after, with Stacey taking the volley but knocking it over the cross bar. At the 27 minute mark, Steph found herself 1-on-1 with the keeper but was denied. The ball, rebounding off the keeper, gave the lions a couple of rebound shots by Sam and Carly, the first saved and the latter missing goal.

Half time 1-0.

Second half, the girls picked up their tempo from the end of the first half and were passing well again. Stratford saw some more possesion this half but the girls kept pushing, though it wasn't until the last 10 minutes Steph sent a through ball to Sam who scored the Lions 2nd. A welcome goal after many chances, including a cracking header over the post from a corner by Stacey.

In the last 2 minutes the keeper passed short to a defender, who then went to go long, the ball was body blocked by Kryssie and rebounded to Steph hit a shot from outside the box, putting it past the keeper for the Lions 3rd and secure their victory.

All around a great effort and improvement from the girls today. Player of the match goes to Tash Matthews who was strong in defence throughout the 90 minutes. Well done girls!

COYL