The Preston Lions have underlined their credentials as one of the biggest clubs in Australia, after 3500 fans packed into Genis Steel Stadium last night to see them beat Melbourne Victory Youth in an exciting NPL3 match-up.
There were also 9200 views online on the NPL Victoria stream.
A wonder goal from Karl Baricevic in the 30th minute was enough, as the Lions won their third straight game to start the 2021 season.
The Lions had to work hard with Victory coming hard at them all night. But assured performances from James Haran and Benji Lyvidikos at the back steered the Lions home.
Matthew Cundari was also strong in the middle of the park and had a hand in the winning goal.
Both teams had their chances early with the Lions starting the game strongly while Victory worked their way back into it.
Just when it looked like it would be an arm wrestle, Baricevic stepped up to score what will likely be one of the goals of the season.
After Cundari headed the ball forward after Victory had cleared it away, Baricevic competed for a header with an opponent 35 yards out, before reading the drop of the ball brilliantly.
He then took one touch to get the ball under control before unleashing a volley with the outside of his left foot. The volley sailed into the top left-hand corner of the net.
(Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
The goal sent the Lions’ fans into a frenzy and left the commentators gasping for a way to describe what they had seen.
Victory pushed forward hard for the rest of the game while Preston were prepared to counter attack.
The Lions thought they had a second late on but Baricevic had a goal ruled out for a foul.
In the end it didn’t matter as Preston maintained their 100 per cent record.
Perhaps the most significant result last night was off the field, as a large crowd gathered at the ground (with COVID-safe rules in place) and significant numbers tuned in online to show their support for a club that has tremendous ambitions for the future.
This follows up from the large crowd that turned up to the Lions’ season opener against Melbourne City Youth.
To put the crowd and streaming numbers into perspective, the A-League game last Friday night between league leaders Central Coast and finals contenders Adelaide United had only 8000 viewers on Foxtel. Last night’s Macarthur versus Brisbane A-League match only sold 1100 tickets.
Preston’s home ground is undergoing a $3 million renovation, with a new pavilion set to be ready in 2022, and judging by the crowd that turned up on Friday it will make Genis Steel Stadium one of the most eagerly visited football grounds in the country.
The Lions faithful are more than playing their role in paying for the future, with over $71,000 already raised for the club’s Future Ready fundraising strategy, and with the club aiming to have $200,000 raised by November this year.
For now, the Lions will focus on their immediate NPL3 commitments, but things are looking bright under the prime-time lights for a club with a rich history and what is most certainly a promising future.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha, the A-League might not even exist in 10-15 years mate.
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
Never was going to happen, they're situated in a poor part of sydney, maybe in 10 years they might be a decent choice
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
You're right, once gentrification hits the area so in another 10-15 years that's when they shoukdve entered
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
Well well well look who the leader is, shame on all the other states!! They should be embarrassed with themselves that such a small club is leading
Tigertown
Guest
Macarthur will by a powerhouse in the future. Their stadium usage costs are minimal, they have great local council support, & the Bulls are located in a high growth area.
Tigertown
Guest
One match proves that division 2 would work? That’s debatable. Basing a multi-million dollar investment purely on the faith of one game is quite risky. I have no doubt that many NPL clubs would have incredible support (as you’ve rightly suggested), but expanding the league is a costly endeavour. It’ll take time, money & patience.
Tigertown
Guest
Patron support is fickle within NSW. Even the NRL Bunnies couldn’t break 10k against Brisbane last week. That’s two of the biggest Rugby League clubs in Australia!
Nick Symonds
Guest
AVERAGE CROWDS: Adelaide United = 7,685 Sydney FC = 7,501 Brisbane Roar = 7,486 Western Sydney Wanderers = 7,135 Melbourne Victory = 6,673 Melbourne City = 5,151 Perth Glory = 5,134 Central Coast Mariners = 4,681 Newcastle Jets = 4,245 Western United = 3,921 Macarthur FC = 3,375 Wellington Phoenix = 2,202 Preston Lions vs Melbourne Victory NPL3 = 3,500
Nick Symonds
Guest
They were third on the ladder and would've moved to within a point of the league leaders if they'd won the match, so they be doing better with crowds. But FOX were impressed by the number of fish they had in the South West Sydney "corridor" that they could pull in.
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
Why would they get 6k for? They play dross and they're in an area that won't have growth for years. Horrible choice by foxtel and the ex fa boss, they club should never even exist
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
I don't know why they did not go for a regional city, crowds there would probably be better.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Atrocious crowd at Macarthur v Brisbane to be quite honest, that game should've got 6k+. Awesome work from Preston though, atmosphere would've been terrific.
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
It just goes to prove the div 2 would work, some of these ethnic based npl clubs would draw that easily. Macarthur is an embarrassing club
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
incredible that such a good crowd turns up to the following due to local interest https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/bt-connor-reserve yet small crowd turns up to A-League match.
TA
Guest
There was approx. 100 Victory fans (max) segregated at the south (right hand side goal from broadcast video). See Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk8xX6gcQJk
Nick Symonds
Guest
3500 fans and 9200 views is pretty good for an NPL3 match. But 1100 tickets for Macarthur is terrible. The Panthers got over 20 thousand at their home ground in Penrith on the same night for an NRL match. You can't blame the virus. But how many fans were Victory supporters and how many for Preston?