After the bye of Round 1 in FQPL3, Noosa Lions Senior Men’s team got their season underway on the first day of Autumn, with a thumping 10-1 victory over Baringa.
Two goals each for Taichi Takaishi, Mitchell Bridge and Jack Williams were supplemented by a fine strike from Nick Cookman, a deft finish from the hard-working Oli Williams and goals from substitutes Harry Magee and Will Graham.
A new season in many ways, with club stalwart, Michael Williams stepping up into the Coach’s role alongside Matt Digwood with support from Matt Upton and Craig Thompson.
Digwood coached the Under 23’s last season and as the club’s Technical Director, has firsthand knowledge of the depth of talent in the youth ranks at Noosa. Pre-season victories against an Ipswich team and Brighton FC in the Kappa Cup had highlighted the coaching team’s focus on a quick passing game, which was evident throughout this emphatic victory, albeit against a weakened opposition.
Cyclone Alfred off the coast added to the wind strength at Girraween, but the slick passing and movement of the Noosa team literally blew Baringa away in a dominant first half performance. The home side going into the break 5-1 in front, though disappointed that they had conceded to Baringa’s solitary attack.
Captain, Luke Becconsall, led by example with his energy and commitment to every tackle, whilst Ollie Blackmore pulled the strings in central midfield, as Baringa struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the Noosa forward line led by Oli Williams.
Takaishi ‘T’ opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a smart finish from a cross by right-back, Lachlan Kusabs.
Mitch Bridge headed home from a Blackmore corner in the 21st minute and scored a second header in the 67th minute. ‘T’s second goal was a clinical finish at the near post following a flowing move across the pitch, with Nick Cookman’s long range strike being the pick of the goals, as he timed his connection to another Blackmore corner to perfection.
“The boys have been training well and today was a solid performance for our first league game,” Michael Williams said, who was also delighted that despite making five substitutions the team never lost their shape or intensity and scored three goals in the last twenty minutes.
The Under 23’s were pegged back to a 5-3 win by a gutsy Baringa team, having led 4-0 on the hour mark, with Jacob Abbott grabbing a brace, his second ensuring victory in the 90th minute.
The Noosa Lions FC Women and Under 23 Women’s teams both lost to Woombye.
