It was a cagey game up at Windsor Park but the Kingborough Lions have come away with 3 vital points courtesy of a Cameron Steele rocket from outside the box to grab a 1-0 win over Riverside Olympic. The Lions held their structure well today and the result has shown from their efforts on the field.
The opening 15 minutes was very 50/50 as both teams were trying to feel each other out. Kingborough went out with attacking intent but their inaccuracy cost them taking what could of been a early lead. In the 19th minute Cameron Steele had a good chance outside the box but his shot was wayward.
Riverside began to realise the Lions were getting on top of them too easily, so midway through the first half hour they sat back deeper. Although this helped the Roos regain some structure, they were also wasteful with their chances, not capitalizing on numerous set pieces. Perhaps they should have changed the kick taker as Monticchio's delivery was poor today, hitting three into the wall and slipping over on another, with the Windsor Park surface continuing to prove a tough one.
One standout moment in the first half came in the 35th Minute when Matt Spanos had a great chance having been played in by a through ball. His shot was more of a lob but either way Kenneth Perkinson had it covered and did a dramatic palm away like something you would see in a basketball game when a player goes to take the shot but has it slapped away! That had to make him feel good going into half time, as the scores remained locked at 0-0.
The breakthrough goal finally came in the second half in the 59th minute when Chris Downes whipped in a corner ball. The Roos defence cleared it, but only as far as Steele who took his chance and had a pop from outside the box. His low drive rocketed into the bottom left corner of the net leaving Hill with no chance on it, as he was beaten by pure power and it gave the Lions the 1-0 lead.
That would be how it ended as despite a number of late chances falling to both sides, neither could find the back of the net.
My standout players today were Horacio Guiterrez Jr and Keenan Douce for the Lions. Horacio's hold up play and through balls really caused troubles for the Roos defence, while Douce's work rate was exceptional, making the forward runs and quickly racing back when Riverside would recover.
After the game Riverside boss, Alex Gaetani praised his team for the shift but was disappointed with the result. "It's frustrating when teams come here and play physical, not football, I feel we are a work in progress and we are on the right track, we are a young team and we will get there"
Jez Kenth was delighted with his side saying "a great team performance, played to our structure and held well, great to get up and running for my tenure with the club, i've settled in well and I 've been surprised with the overall atmosphere, Kenny was great today when he needed to stand up, Horacio also quality, we need to keep this going but we will enjoy this"
https://youtu.be/wVyaMrBamWY
https://youtu.be/kGo45duQglE