All Square In Vital Teralba Park Contest

Mitchelton 2 (Mitchell 36’; Foster 73’) Lions FC 2 (Diaz 8', 25' pen)

HT 1-2

Played at Teralba Park

Mitchelton kept their finals hopes alive and dented Lions' title aspirations in a tight and combative 2-2 draw at a chilly Teralba Park on Saturday evening. With news filtering through from up North that Peninsula were beating league leaders Rochedale 1-0 at halftime, the first goal was always going to take on special significance so when Tynan Diaz, who has been in and out of the starting line-up of late, headed home a Nathan Shepherd cross in the ninth minute, the scene was set for a vital away victory. Fifteen minutes later Peter Gaffney was hauled down in the penalty area and Diaz stepped up to the spot for his second goal of the evening and a two goal buffer for his side. The Mustangs were never going to roll over easily and Jacob Mitchell provided the crucial lifeline with his eighth goal of the season nine minutes before the interval. Whilst the coaches were giving their team talks, confirmation of Rochedale's loss ensured a second half with everything to play for. Just when it seemed the points were heading to Richlands, Sam Foster sent the crowd into raptures with his second goal in four weeks which may have a dramatic effect on the rest of the season. From there it came down to hanging on, and Luke Borean produced a captain's performance as the home side dominated all the way to full time, but were unable to beat the bearded shot-stopper. Lions continued their unfortunate tendency of allowing games to get away from them at inopportune moments and despite clawing themselves back to within three points of Rochedale, drop to third place behind a fast-finishing Peninsula Power. As if to compound the sheer insanity of 2017, that single point alongside their catch-up game against Capalaba puts them in the box seat following Souths United succumbing to an upset loss against Logan Lightning at Cornubia Park. This afternoon, if Holland Park Hawks can take anything away from Heath Park, the dice will have fallen the way of Mitchelton.

Coach Remarks:

Leo Sirianni (Mitchelton): Unavailable for comment.

Warren Moon (Lions FC): "It was a hard fought game played on an absolutely disgraceful pitch. Both sides had good moments. We could have been out of sight after an hour but they controlled the last thirty minutes. Our keeper was outstanding. The draw keeps us in the title race but only just."

FB Media Player Of The Match: Mitch Bevan (Mitchelton).

The under-rated Bevan had a fine game but it was his ability to put constant pressure onto Lions with accurate set-pieces which nearly won them all three points.

FB Media Match Stats:

Overall Possession: 48% - 52% Shots on target: 10 - 6 Shots off target: 1 - 7 Shots off woodwork: 1 - 1 Corners: 8 - 4 Free kicks: 17 - 15 Penalties: 0 - 1 Offsides: 1 - 2 Yellow cards: 4 - 1 Red cards: 0 - 0