Lions played their final game of the season this weekend. A home match against Willen Coyotes was to be the finale in what has been a challenging, but rewarding season.
Both teams started well but it was Willen who made the first break with a long ball played through the middle of the defence. However, keeper Lauren was quick out of her box with a loud shout and collected it comfortably. Next it was Bella who played a tasty through-ball of her own to Tehila who got a shot off that fizzed wide of the post.
Lions continued to enjoy good pressure with some strong work from Georgia, pushing the ball forward. A long ball from Gracie to Tehila had the striker in on goal again, but again the shot was just wide of the post. Willen worked the ball well down their right but Kiera fought bravely to keep the ball away from the Lions’ goal. Lauren was quick to the edge of the box again to collect another Willen long ball before booting the ball up the pitch. Moments later Tehila fired a shot from out wide which gave the keeper something to think about – but she was up to the challenge. Lions came close minutes later after a corner from Amber was shot goal bound by Bella but was stopped by the bar and Evelyn couldn’t quite reach the rebound.
Willen countered with a fast attack that resulted in a decent shot that rolled just wide of the post. And it wasn’t long before they were advancing again. This time a strong shot was well saved by Lauren. It was Willen’s turn to enjoy some good pressure but the Lions defence stood strong. It took a brave block by Sienna and two good headers from Kiera and Georgia to keep the ball away from danger. It wasn’t long before Lions were back on the front foot. After a wonderful long ball from Heidi that was collected by the keeper, the Lions winger was in on the action again after a great switch in play by Georgia enabled her to whip in a dangerous cross – but it was too strong for any teammate to reach.
Some lovely link-up play between Gracie and Kiera almost saw Amber through on goal but the ball was well intercepted. Willen’s defence was particularly strong and despite a good ball from Heidi to Flo, the Lions attacker was well challenged before getting her pass away.
Lions came out fighting strong after the half time break. Some great skill by Amber down the left resulted in a good cross but the keeper reached it before her teammates could. Some lovely triangular passing between Kiera, Gracie and Amber followed moments later but they couldn’t quite break through the back line.
Willen remained dangerous on the attack and fired a strong shot over the bar before Bella and Tehila created another Lions chance with a nifty one-two past the defender but the resulting shot was well saved. At last Lions got their goal. A great run by Amber down the left saw the winger skip past the right back before crossing the ball to Tehila on the edge of the box. The Lions striker moved past the defender and managed to slot the ball between the keeper’s legs.
Willen weren’t going to give up the game easily and were soon putting the home side under some pressure. Sienna was quick to cover and make an important block but moments later Willen fired a long range shot that was well saved by Lauren. An important block by Kiera was needed to thwart another Willen advance and Georgia cleared the ball away calmly to ease the pressure. A great ball by Amber to Bella sent her through on goal with a powerful run but the resulting shot hit the side netting. With just 20 seconds to go, Willen pounced on a mistake after a goal kick. Just as the player was lining up her shot inside the box Tehila slid in to make the last ditch tackle making it a Lions victory on the final whistle.
This week’s players of the match: Kiera and Tehila.
