Lions Put Four Past Valiant Mustangs
Lions FC 4 (Kenyon 5’, Diaz 74’, 79’, Jankovic 86’)
Mitchelton 0 HT 1-0
Played at AJ Kelly Park
Lions FC took out the double and gained revenge for last season’s Grand Final loss when they beat a gutsy Mitchelton 4-0 at AJ Kelly FIeld on Saturday evening.
The Champions came out on fire and Brodie Kenyon took full advantage of a trademark Nathan Reardon long throw, meeting the flick-on and powering home an unstoppable header.
It was the fourth great chance already in the game and Mitchelton were struggling to keep up but somehow they managed to balance the equilibrium and steer the ship to a single goal deficit at halftime.
But all the talk during the break surrounded the loss to injury of Gabriel Sarasol who has been the Mustangs’ talisman during their late season run of form.
There had been plenty of feeling in this game right from kick off and with temperatures rising a hefty challenge on Michael Butters saw both teams react and referee Casey Reibelt handed a second caution and resultant red card to Josh McVey.
Nobody beats Lions with only ten players because they are the undisputed masters of pulling opposition formations of out shape so it was no surprise when Tynan Diaz doubled the lead in the 74th minute with a ricocheted shot. He then put the game beyond doubt with a sharp finish on the end of a slick counterattack five minutes later.
With two minutes on the clock, Marco Jankovic rounded off the scoreline with a header on the run and it was time to celebrate, again, for the orange and blue and their faithful supporters.
There’s no point parking the bus against Lions because eventually it will all come crashing around your ears so this game was never going to be a dire tactical battle and it didn’t disappoint.
Mitchy had their chances, Nick Bernardi came close in the first half and Jake Mitchell powered a near post shot over the crossbar in the second half, and there was a feeling for a long time that if they could force an equaliser; all the pressure would shift onto Lions to go on and win the game.
But it never came despite wholehearted performances from Myles Carseldine and Tim Lawson who was a late inclusion to the starting the line-up and added some steel in midfield when all looked to be going against them.
It was all about Lions though, who have been the best team all year and today, despite an extended period of inexplicably turning the ball over at every opportunity, through the endeavours of players such as Peter Gaffney and Michael Butters, they showed why they are the current benchmark for the Flight Centre Premier League.
Interestingly, fortunes have finally changed for Lions goalkeeper Phil Zabaks who, through a long and esteemed career in Sydney and Brisbane finally has a Grand Final winners medal to show to the grand kids on the sixth attempt in his career.
Despite the lopsided result, this game was worthy of a Grand Final and there will be some very sore bodies and weary heads waking up to the off-season tomorrow morning.
Full credit too to Peninsula Power who offered an immaculate surface to play on, which undoubtedly contributed to the day's finals.
FB Media Player Of The Match: CB Nathan Reardon - Lions FC
Often overshadowed by his high-profile team mates, Reardon was the coolest head on the field and stood up when it looked as if all around him were losing their own heads. He nearly scored with a header which would have been richly deserved.
Team line-ups
Lions FC: Zabaks (gk), Takahashi, Fujitani, Fetahagic, Shepherd, Cokell, Jankovic, Reardon, Butters, Kenyon, Gaffney. Subs: Cosgrove, Jomanday, Moon, Murphy. Mitchelton: Downes (gk), Stubbins, Bernardi, Shade, Carseldine, Griebsch, Griffin, Sarasol, Mitchell, Njie, McVey.. Subs: Kleibo, Lloyd, Willoughby, Lawson, Wenck.
FB Media Match Stats.
Possession: 1st Half 49% - 51% / 2nd Half 52% - 48%
Overall Possession: 56% - 44%
Shots on target: 9 - 3
Shots off target: 9 - 2
Free kicks: 12 - 14
Offside: 1 - 0
Corners: 5 - 5
Yellow Cards: 0 - 4
Red Cards: 0 - 1
Referee: Casey Reibelt
