Austin Marks Debut with Goal in Hard-Fought Draw
We have now played Roaring Lions three times this season with each game ending in a draw (defeated on penalties in Presidents Cup Semi-Final) which goes to show how well matched we are with the reigning AFL Champions. This game was another tight encounter with a draw probably being a fair result based upon the balance of play.
It was Lions who had the first chance of the game after two minutes which proved to be a bit of a let off for us when they headed over the bar from close range. We took full advantage of this by going on to take the lead just six minutes later. A fantastic long-range ball over the top of the Lions defence by captain for the night Leon Whyle saw his fellow Trinidadian and debutant Rondell Austin expertly lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out! A perfect start to life at our club for Rondell and a perfect start to the game for us!
The exuberance of opening the scoring was dampened somewhat in the 10th minute when Rushane Brooks went down with what looked like to be a hamstring injury. Brooksy manfully tried to continue after receiving treatment, but he just couldn’t carry on and was replaced by Denny Derrick a few minutes later. Unfortunately, before that change was made, Lions got back on level terms through a goal scored by Mekhi Connor with his shot beating Shemor Browne at the near post.
Two minutes after seeing our lead being eroded, Shemor produced an excellent save to keep the scores level and moments later he did well again, this time tipping a dangerous looking cross away from danger. Lions weren’t having it all their own way though and we were more than matching them and showed them that we were still dangerous when Leon Whyle had a shot saved from just outside the box. Towards the end of the half, Darlon Guppy produced an excellently timed tackle to deny Lions a shooting opportunity which was followed by us finishing the half on the front foot, Isaiah Isaac nutmegging his marker on the right and crossing the ball into the box only for it to be cleared from danger.
In truth, the second half was much quieter than the first! However, we almost made the perfect start to the second period when just five minutes in, Leon found Denny Derrick on the right, the tennis pro then served a delightful chip from the edge of the box which went agonisingly wide of the far post!
It would take another 20 minutes for any other goalmouth action to speak of, and it was us again going close when a flowing end to end move culminated in the hard-working Kemari Gumbs having his shot well saved by the Lions goalkeeper.
Six minutes into injury time Lions almost snatched the win when Williams was presented with a great chance which he placed just wide of the target. Then, two minutes later, Lions were awarded a penalty when Shemor brought down a player inside the box. Williams stepped up to take the spot kick and put the ball well wide of the target to the relief of us all! This was the last kick of an entertaining game with a point keeping us in the title race!