Lions cruise past YPOM

Our boys in red have maintained their 100% start to the season by comfortably defeating Your Pace or Mine, 5–0.

After earning the best start to a season in five seasons, the Lions were ready to fire against last season’s semi finalists, who also had made a good start to the new season.

Todevski’s men took a bit of time to start getting control of the game in a cagey opening to the match. Nerves were settled when the back-to-form Nikoloski took the ball in his stride from a beautiful M. Paunkoski backheel, who he then got past teo defenders and finished calmly to put the Lions in the lead. Soon after, Stankovski and Karevski were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, while D. Paunkoski pulled out great saves from the opposition goalkeeper. Petrovski was required to make two great saves but other than that, the Lions defended with great spirit and organisation to keep the Pacers scoreless in the first half. Nikoloski just before the break increased our lead with a sharp turn-and-shoot finish, while D. Paunkoski wrapped up the an excellent half for the Lions with a cool finish from close range.

More of the same was to come in the second half. Our boys in red created further chances up front, but were denied by some excellent opposition goalkeeping. The Pacers did come out firing a lot more and really went for it, but our Lions stood tall and defended like warriors, blocking and intercepting countless number of attacks. As minutes were ticking by and time was running out for the Pacers, Nikoloski secured the win for us with three minutes before time, with a sizzling long range shot to complete his second hat-trick in as many weeks. He could’ve easily added a fourth but missed a open goal from a tight angle by some great work from D. Paunkoski. With only a minute remaining, D. Paunkoski put the icing on the cake for the Lions, as his belter from outside the penalty area left the Pacers goalkeeper with absolute no chance in goal. Petrovski made a final save and with that secured his second ever clean sheet to his name, as a famous win was celebrated at full time.

We’d like to thank everyone who attended the match and cheered our boys in red. Your support does not go unnoticed, and it’s always greatly appreciated.

Round 4 Squad: 33. Alexandar PETROVSKI (GK)  8. Miki PAUNKOSKI 9. Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI 10. Daniel PAUNKOSKI 17. Steve STANKOVSKI 27. Hristijan KAREVSKI

Goalscorers:  3  -  Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI 2  - Daniel PAUNKOSKI