Packed House For Heritage Shield Encounter
Match officials and club captain's Matija Simic (Lions FC, Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar) before kick-off, with young William Martin who conducted the coin toss.
A large crowd packed Lions Stadium on Tuesday night as Lions FC hosted Brisbane Roar in a pre-season encounter that doubled as the inaugural Heritage Shield between the two clubs - in celebration of their 60th anniversary. It proved to be a solid hit out for both sides which featured a host of Roar’s big names who were getting some game time back into their legs for this pre-season match-up, and despite a goal less first half, both sides had their chances; most notably Lions who won a penalty midway through the half when Henry Hore was pulled down. But Nathan Shepherd’s spot kick was expertly read by Roar keeper Michael Theo who saved low down to his left to prevent the hosts taking the lead. The deadlock was broken on the hour mark when Shannon Brady converted Jack Hingert’s cut back to give the Hyundai A-League outfit the lead. The game was wrapped up at the death when Rahmat Akbari finished well after racing through to pick up Emilio Martinez’s neat through ball. Roar Captain Matt McKay was presented with the Heritage Shield by Lions FC President Henk Mollee on completion of the game.
After the game, Lions Coach Warren Moon reflected on the game, “It was a great hit out for the players. They were excited. There was a big crowd. They stuck it to the Roar at times.” He added, “I think overall it was a great experience. The boys did the club proud and the performance showed it, we probably could have ad a goal or two. Clearly the Roar are better and so they should be, they’re an A-League side and a very good one. But we certainly competed at times and gave a good account of ourselves.” The main winner on the night though were the Starlight Children’s Foundation who were the recipients of approximately $2,500 raised on the night from gold coin entry and donations tins going around the ground during the game.
You can watch the highlights from the game below:
