Brothers Townsville and Mackay Lions win through to Queensland Kappa Cup regional final

The stage is set for a thrilling regional women’s final in Queensland’s Kappa Cup after two exciting semi-finals were decided by the narrowest of margins. Catch up on both games and hear from the coaches.

Stephanie Luyt blocks the shot of Thais Stella in the Kappa Queensland Cup Round 5 regional women's match between the Edge Hill Tigers and Townsville Brothers, held at Tiger Park, Manunda, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Townsville Brothers will play the Mackay Lions in the regional women’s final of Queensland’s statewide Kappa Cup after both clubs won their semi-finals on Saturday.

Evan Amendum bagged a brace as Brothers brushed off Edge Hill United 3-2 at Tiger Park in Cairns, but goalkeeper Maddison Marsh was the star of the game, saving a late penalty to keep her side ahead.

Brothers coach Steve McNaughton said he was proud of his team for hanging tough when the weight of possession and opportunity was against them.

“They were really throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at us,” McNaughton said.

“I think we did well across the park in many aspects, and the game is about scoring goals, but to be fair I think they had more possession than we did.

Liberty Berman-Hardman strikes the ball in the Kappa Queensland Cup Round 5 regional women's match between the Edge Hill Tigers and Townsville Brothers, held at Tiger Park, Manunda, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It went back and forth for a little bit there, but we took our chances – that’s probably the big thing.

“They had a couple of really good chances which were either saved by our keeper – who had a blinder – or they were blasted over the bar, which could have been completely different if a bit of fortune went the other way.”

Amendum opened the scoring from outside the box when Edge Hill’s goalkeeper Xena Faddy rushed out to shut down a play, before giving the visitors a 2-0 lead midway through the opening half when Kristy Hanna set her up with a perfect pass to the top of the six-yard box.

Edge Hill midfielder Asher Berman-Hardman cut the deficit in half with a long-range strike, chipping the keeper from a difficult angle outside the box to bring the Tigers back into the contest.

Liberty Berman-Hardman competes for Edge Hill in the Kappa Queensland Cup Round 5 regional women's match between the Edge Hill Tigers and Townsville Brothers, held at Tiger Park, Manunda, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Brothers forward Stephanie Luyt scored what would ultimately be the matchwinner just after halftime when she caught Faddy napping and chipped her from distance, before Siobhan Macken scored from a corner to cut the margin to one goal.

Stephanie Luyt and Thais Stella contests the ball in the Kappa Queensland Cup Round 5 regional women's match between the Edge Hill Tigers and Townsville Brothers, held at Tiger Park, Manunda, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

However with more than half an hour still to play, it was a tense battle until the final whistle as the Tigers threw everything they had at an equaliser.

In the 75th minute, a hand ball defending a free kick gave Macken a chance to level the scores from the penalty spot but Marsh was up to the challenge, waiting the striker out and saving the softly-hit shot without needing to dive.

Siobhan Macken competes in the Kappa Queensland Cup Round 5 regional women's match between the Edge Hill Tigers and Townsville Brothers, held at Tiger Park, Manunda, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

McNaughton said his team would need to find another level to beat Mackay in June.

“Mackay are another tough opposition,” he said.

“Over the years they’re just one of those teams that are always at the top or second. They don’t lose too many games, they’re very well organised and attract good players.

EDGE HILL TIGERS: 2 (Asher Berman-Hardman 41’, Siobhan Macken 52’)

TOWNSVILLE BROTHERS: 3 (Evan Amendum 22’, 34’, Stephanie Luyt 50’)

Lions ‘slug it out’ in tough conditions

Mackay Lions prevailed against Doon Villa FC in what Lions coach Pino Giannangelo described as extremely hot and humid conditions.

In fact, they were so bad that a Villa player had to be taken off the field and receive medical treatment for heatstroke.

FQPL Women – Mackay Lions won the 2024 FQPL Whitsunday Coast competition. Picture: Supplied.

The Lions were the ones better able to manage the conditions, scoring two early goals to take a 2-0 lead, before staving off Villa in the second half to win 2-1.

“We were pretty rapt to come away with the win, it was a pretty hot day out there,” Giannangelo said.

“When halftime rolled around our girls were pretty wrecked.

“It was a battle to stay focused but we kept ourselves in it.”

The Lions scored the opener via a catastrophic backline error from Villa, which put striker Takoda Stephens through on goal for a simple finish.

Moments later, the Villa backline was once again caught out of position, with Maria Espinosa playing Stephens into space for another one-on-one with the keeper, with Stephens again making no mistake.

The Mackay Lions women's team prepare for a match in August, 2024. Picture: Supplied.

Villa struck back five minutes before halftime via a strong solo run from Shakira Stewart, but that is as close as they would come to equalising.

The Lions’ defence was resolute in the second half, as while they didn’t capitalise on their own chances, they prevented any of Villa’s from materialising.

“Our backline did a good job of shutting them down as well as possible,” Giannangelo said.

“They didn’t have too many shots on goal. It would’ve been nice to put the game away with a couple of goals of our own, but we’ll take the win.”

He said he’s expecting a strong challenge from Brothers in the regional final.

“They’ve always been a strong side, and I’m imagining this year they’ve got a bit better,” he said.

“We’re not expecting it to be easy by any means, we’ll have to bring our best.”

MACKAY LIONS:2 (Takoda Stephens 24’, 29’)

DOON VILLA FC:1 (Shakira Stewart 39’)

Originally published as Brothers Townsville and Mackay Lions win through to Queensland Kappa Cup regional final