Lions Hold Off Team B

The Lions have held off Team B with their eighth win of the season despite an average second half performance.

The Lions have continued their undefeated streak by overcoming Team B 7-4 in last nights clash. The Lions dominated the first 15 minutes of the game in what was one of the best opening performances seen in the history of the club. With the absence of D.Paunkoski, G.Stojanovski, A.Nikoloski and D.Jovanovski, the lineup included H.Karevski and A.Petrovski who have both played every match this season. M.Paunkoski made his return to the lineup alongside veteran T.Paunkoski who had been out of action for at least a year. S.Stankovski also started the match alongside new signing C.Nastevski.

The first half saw the Lions put seven past the opponents, with Christian Nastevski netting his first hat-rick for the club, one of the goals being a highlight of the game with a first time volley to the bottom right corner after a chip through ball by M.Paunkoski. Tomce Paunkoski looked shaky after being sideline for nearly a year, and struggled in the early stages until he got up to the pace of the game and then dominated as usual and also picking up a goal which was brilliantly assisted with a backheel by S.Stankovski. Hristijan Karevski delivered what was the best defensive performance of the season, winning every 50/50 challenge, constantly tracking back and also clocking the most distance covered in the game. Miki Paunkoski's return saw him net a brace of brilliantly placed goals and one brilliant assist. Towards the end of the first half, fatigue kicked in for our returning players and with our structure being broken and lapses of concentration, we conceded two goals in quick succession.

It has been a long time since it last happened, but our Lions failed to score in the second half which was unbelievable despite the night C.Nastevski was having in front of goal in the first half. The Lions missed many chances but the ball just did no want to go in, however it did for our opponents. Team B held off our attacks and withstood our constant peppering of the goals, managing to win the half 2-0, ending the scores at 7-4. However, with many absent and returning players and only one player on the bench, it proved costly for our Lions as we fatigued rapidly from the onset of the second half. The boys still pulled off a well deserved win, and extended their unbeaten run to 8 games, further cementing their place in 1st position.

The Lions will be looking to continue their amazing form next week in a top of the table clash against Your Pace Or Mine.

Round 8 Squad:

33. Alexandar PETROVSKI (GK)

2. Tomce PAUNKOSKI

8. Miki PAUNKOSKI

17. Steven STANKOVSKI

23. Christian NASTEVSKI

27. Hristijan KAREVSKI

Goalscorers:

3 - Christian NASTEVSKI

2 - Miki PAUNKOSKI

1 - Hristijan KAREVSKI

1 - Tomce PAUNKOSKI