The Young Lions Pascoe Cup side have surrendered their lead at the top of Football Wagga’s premier competition after a hard fought 2-1 loss away to Junee on Sunday.
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After an opening stanza where much of the game was played between both penalty areas, Junee were the first to score when their striker was able to control a through ball and finish past Mat McKnight, despite calls from the Lions defenders that he used his arm to bring the ball down.
Young settled against a more physical Junee side and drew level after 40 minutes when Duncan Cameron found space outside the 18 yard box and drilled a shot past the Junee keeper.
Young came out after the break the more hungry of the two sides, however they were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Jarod Schiller was sent off for swearing.
Junee took the lead in the 60th minute when a free kick from 25 yards was expertly saved by McKnight, only for the resultant goal-line scramble to end with Calum McCaffery putting his attempted clearance into his own net after hitting the crossbar.
Young pushed players forward to try and snatch a draw as time elapsed, however despite being the better side one player short they couldn’t come up with the equaliser.
Lions coach Mark Mellish was disappointed with the result, but praised his side for never stopping against the odds.
“Junee are a very good side and play an aggressive game which, as a smaller side, doesn’t necessarily suit us,” Mellish said.
“I thought their first goal was a bit lucky (with the handball) but the referee ruled one way and we can’t change it. In saying that, we sometimes don’t help ourselves and playing almost half the game with 10 men really put us under the pump. Discipline is something that needs to improve as the referees are very strict in Wagga and missing players through suspension could cost us the chance to challenge for the top spot.”
This weekend the Lions will travel to Wagga to take on Lake Albert in what will be another tough match. The Sharks are currently one point behind the Lions on the ladder and a loss could see Young drop all the way to sixth position in what is a very tight competition.
The Young Lions women’s team were lucky to get a win on the weekend after what coach Brett Humphreys described as an ordinary game against Henwood Park on Sunday.
Henwood Park secured the lead within the first minute of the match, catching the under-numbered Young side offguard with their speed and agility.
Henwood Park held the lead until late in first half when Young’s Ellie Hawkey found the back of the net, going into half-time 1-all.
“I guess what we’d been training for through the week, we weren’t necessarily putting into action in first half,” Humphreys said.
“I thought the goal scored by Ellie late in first half we were very fortunate to get.
“It was probably more than what we deserved, so we were lucky to go into halftime even.”
Humphrey’s half time talk saw the girls leave the sloppy play behind.
“We identified their key players and were able to mark them out of the game and limit their play making which frustrated them a little bit, but allowed us to get back into the game,” he said.
“We started playing simple soccer and passing the ball and got a late goal, which we deserved, and came away with a very lucky win.”
Hats off went to Ashleigh Humphreys for her committment in midfield, Tessa Long and Patricia Dawe for their tireless work in defence.
“Patty Dawe’s defence as captain paved the way for a victory, she didn’t put a foot wrong, she earned her players player award,” Humphreys said.
Coach’s award went to Sam Edwards.
The women have a bye this weekend before taking on Tolland the following Sunday.
“I’m not sure how to take that game because they’re the best attacking team in the comp but they’ve also conceded a heap... But we’re probably the most balanced team and we have faith in our defence to prevent anything Tolland throw at us,” he said.
