Lions Bounce Back!

After suffering their first loss of the season and seeing their undefeated streak come to an end, our Lions have bounced back by demolishing opponents Team B 9-3.

The Round 12 clash against Team B saw the return of two star players Miki Paunkoski and Steven Stankovski, both who have been suffering with different injuries for the past few weeks. Christian Nastevski also made his 5th appearance for the club, alongside veterans Daniel Paunkoski, Aleksandar Nikoloski, Hristijan Karevski and Alexandar Petrovski. David Jovanovski once again missed out due to injury and a late failed fitness test.

The Lions were eager to bounce back after their disappointing defeat to YPOM last week, and that is just what they did. Our boys began fiercely from the first whistle, with D.Paunkoski scoring a bullet from the left side of the field in the opening minutes. C.Nastevski later increased the lead with a sublime finish, and then D.Paunkoski picked up his second of the night with another great finish. Petrovski was pulling off some good saves but could do nothing about the shot that pulled one back for Team B. Our boys went into half time leading 3-1 with many created chances and brilliantly played football.

The second half began and our boys continued to lay into the opponents goal, with D.Paunkoski picking up yet another hat-rick this season, putting him 1 goal away from yet another 30+ goal season. D.Paunkoski then sat out for the rest of the game due to sickness, however that did not lower the confidence or motivation from the rest of the boys. Karevski was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, although he was brilliant as always. M.Paunkoski picked up his first goal since returning from injury with a cheeky close range finish. Our boys were absolutely peppering the away goals but at times just could not score. The game was scrappy in patches and led to Team B pulling 2 goals back from scrappy play which the boys could do nothing about. However, Nikoloski managed to score 2 superb goals from distance and C.Nastevski also picked up a hat-trick with a brilliant finish. Stankovski was like a steam train up and down the pitch and was voted ThinkMedia's MOTM due to his brillaint performance defensively and in build up plays towards goals scored.

Scores ended with the Lions victorious 9-3 over Team B, cementing our place in 1st position and taking out the minor championship. Congratulations to the boys on an amazing season, we are all looking forward to the finals series. Samo Napred!

Round 12 Squad:

33. Alexandar PETROVSKI (GK)

8. Miki PAUNKOSKI

9. Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI

10. Daniel PAUNKOSKI

17. Steven STANKOVSKI

23. Christian NASTEVSKI

27. Hristijan KAREVSKI

Goalscorers:

3 - Daniel PAUNKOSKI

3 - Christian NASTEVSKI

2 - Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI

1 - Miki PAUNKOSKI