Lions Miss Out On Title But Hit Logan For Six
Lions FC 6 (Diaz 22', 65', 77', 81'; Butters 35'; Young 90') Logan Lightning 0 HT 2-0 Played at: Lions Stadium
Tynan Diaz struck four times as Lions FC ran rampant over a lacklustre Logan Lightning side, whilst hoping results elsewhere would go their way in the race for the Flight Centre Premier League title. It wasn't to be in the end but Lions showed the kind of form that could well see them feature in the Grand Final showdown should they maintain it. From the outset, the hosts dominated possession with Logan barely able to get out of their own half for regular intervals. Michael Butters went close for Lions on 11 minutes, forcing Logan keeper Linus Schibler into a fine fingertip save and the Logan stopper was on hand to tip over Matija Simic's header soon after, following a corner to the hosts. It took until midway through the half before the deadlock was broken. Shaun Carlos with a strong run at the Logan defence before slipping a neat ball through to Diaz who dispatched his shot low into the bottom corner with Schibler unable to get hands to it. Further chances came and went for the hosts before they extended their lead shortly before half time. Diaz again in the thick of the action, powering in an effort toward the back post which Butters slid on to, tapping in the ball virtually on the goal line. Moments later, Butters fed the ball to Henry Hore who's shot from outside the box, cannoned off the post and out for a throw, as the hosts threatened to run away with the the game. Logan's best chance of the half fell to ex-Lion Andy Butler who's effort shortly before half time, smashed against the outside of the post. The second term saw Lions resume from where they left off, pressuring Logan on regular occasions but it took until the hour mark before Schibler was tested again. Hore with another good effort just inside the box that deflected awkwardly, forcing Schibler into a dramatic tip over save. Five minutes later though and Lions made it three. Butters doing exceptionally well when through one on one with Schibler and being taken down by the Logan keeper but retaining his footing before delivering a ball in across goal where Diaz was waiting for an easy tap in. Some neat combination play culminated in Lions fourth of the night with Butters finding Diaz in acres of room in the box to tuck the ball in past Schibler, although there were suspicions Diaz was offside. Substitute Sam Young went close shortly after his introduction, striking the base of the post following some quality interplay between Butters and Andrew Thompson. Diaz struck again just a few minutes later when breaking free of the Logan defence and slotting the ball under the onrushing Schibler who tried in vane to keep it out. The rout was completed close to the full time whistle. A Lions corner was floated in and laid off, before being played back into the edge of the box where Young was able to control the ball and direct his effort past Schibler and in for his side's sixth on the night. It was a determined display from the 2016 Champions but they'll rue the games they threw away mid-season that have proven costly in their efforts to retain the title, with both Rochedale Rovers and Peninsula Power recording final day wins. The other sides in the top four though, will take note of Lions' recent form that has seen them score 12 goals in the last two games. Perhaps a Grand Final appearance beckons for Warren Moon's outfit. After all, it's the only piece of silverware left for them to claim in 2017, having missed out on everything else.
Coaches Remarks:
Warren Moon - Lions FC: "I'm delighted with how we've played the last few weeks. Deep down we knew the title race was over a few weeks ago. We fully expected Rochedale to win the league and congratulations to them and Scott. I'm actually really happy for him and the club, for what he's done the last couple of years. He deserves it. We've now got one trophy to play for and that's the Grand Final, and we'll give it our best shot."
Richard Dennis – Logan FC: "Pretty disappointing way to finish. I expected more out of our guys. We didn't challenge at all first half. We sat a bit deep and that's not what we normally do. I just thought the guys didn't put their best foot forward today."
FB Media Player of the Match: Tynan Diaz (Lions FC)
Gave Logan all kinds of problems, including four goals and an assist that Diaz will have claimed was another notch on his goal tally. Difficult to contain and strong on the ball.
FB Media Match Stats:
Possession: 70% - 30% Shots on target: 8 - 3 Shots off target: 7 - 3 Shots blocked: 2 - 0 Corners: 11 - 1 Penalties: 0 - 0 Free Kicks: 15 - 9 Offside: 3 - 1 Yellow Cards: 1 - 1 Red Cards: 0 - 0
Team Line-ups
Lions FC: Borean (gk), Butters, Carlos, Cosgrove (Cokell 76'), Diaz, Hore (Young 76'), Jarrard (Gaffney 81'), Reardon, Shepherd, Simic, Thompson. Subs: Long (rgk), Gaffney, Cokell, Moon, Young. Logan Lightning: Schibler (gk), Bissett, Brent, J. Brown, M. Brown, Butler (Speechley 64'), Dunker (Ebangwese 46'), Greer, Roby, Smith (Rudken 57'), Tesoro. Subs: Kindness (rgk), Ebangwese, Kemel, Rudken, Speechley. Referee: Paul Eldridge
