Season starts with fighting draw

Captain Brant Taylor converted a penalty 10 minutes from time to ensure the Lions finished the game with one competition point.

With three withdrawals from the squad on the Saturday night, the Lions went into the match with only 11 players but started out strongly and took an early lead within the first five minutes. 

Ahmad Hamdan was on hand to score from close range in his first game for Young after some good lead-up work by Jayden Lorkovic and Connor McGregor down the right wing. 

Fifteen minutes later both Hamdan and Lorkovic combined again to have the ball in the back of the net however this time Hamdan’s finish was ruled out as he was adjudged to have been in an offside position. 

The Lions continued to attack throughout the remainder of the half with Tyler Allen continually causing the Lithgow defence problems with his skill and pace. 

The turning point of the match occurred with five minutes to go to half time when midfielder Connor McGregor was forced off the pitch with an injury.

With no substitutes Young were forced to play with only 10 men and Lithgow were quick to capitalise on their numerical advantage when they successfully converted a counter-attacking move to bring the hosts back level at the break.

Lithgow started the second half where they had left off and looked the better of the two teams however the Lions defence led by Jarod Schiller was resolute and kept their opponents at bay. 

Lithgow continued to press in attack and eventually took the lead midway through the second half through a well struck free kick. 

This goal spurred the Lions into action and, after a period of concerted attacking pressure, Nathan Hislop broke free into the penalty box before being fouled by a Lithgow defender. 

Taylor duly converted the spot kick to bring the Lions back level and to set up an exciting final few minutes. 

In the end the Lions were unfortunate not to claim all three points with Allen forcing an excellent save from the Lithgow goalkeeper in the closing stages of the match. 

Ahmad Hamdan was named Players Player for his efforts whilst Tyler Allen took out Man of the Match honours in his first game since being recruited from the Cootamundra Strikers.

Lions assistant coach David Brouwer was full of praise for the side, who took on the hardest road trip in the competition and were able to return with a well deserved point. 

With the return fixture in Young later in the season, Brouwer expects an improved result from Young, especially if the Lions can turn out a full squad for the game.

This weekend Young will host their first home game of the season, when they play Cowra Eagles at Hall Bros Oval with a 3pm kickoff on Sunday. 

Cowra have been a regular in the finals over the last few years and before a ball was kicked have announced themselves as hot favourites to win the 2014 title. 

Young, however, will be looking to take the game to Cowra and will have a full squad at their disposal for the match.

The team for Sunday is as follows (two to be omitted): Tyler Allen, Fraser Burns, Jordan Callaghan, Duncan Cameron, Andrew Carberry, Ahmad Hamdan, Nathan Hislop, Brett Humphreys, Chris Kerr, Tim Langfield, Jayden Lorkovic, Pete Mulquiney, Jordan Osmond, Aaron Reilly, Jarod Schiller, Craig Slater, Brant Taylor. 

We invite all spectators to our post-match function at the Young Services Club from 5pm. 

We would like to thank the Services Club for their ongoing support as major sponsor of Young Lions Soccer Club, as well as thanking our other sponsors - South West Slopes Credit Union, Eagle Boys, Richard Mellish Insurance Services, Windridge Farms, YES Embroidery, Sutherlands Welding and Fabrication, Back to Back Financial Planners, Mill Tavern, Kay McDonald Trophies and Colonial Motel.