Lions Late Winner To Move 3rd

Stirling Lions leapfrogged Perth SC into third place on the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA table after a late goal from David Micevski gave them a 2-1 win at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday evening.

The fixture was a feature of the inaugural DT38 Foundation Awareness Round, which signalled the start of a nine-week competition encouraging clubs to promote awareness of testicular cancer.

The crowd stood in a minute silence prior to kick off and burst into a moment of applause on 38 minutes in tribute of the WA footballer, Dylan Tombides.

David Micevski gave the Lions the lead early in the first half before Perth suffered another blow with Rocco Pizzata picking up a second yellow in the 75th minute.

But Gustavo Catarcione pulled them back level from the penalty spot just two minutes later before David Micevski scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Lions coach Rob Milevski said his side showed great character to hit back late to win it.

“We dominated the first half and deservedly came in at half time with the lead, but we sat a little too deep in the second half and let them back in,” he said.

“But despite conceding the penalty, we pushed a couple more forward and luckily we managed to the get winner, but we did leave it a little late.

“It was a good team performance, Jamie (Gibson) was outstanding up top for us and I thought the back four were terrific, while David (Micevski) scored a couple of quality goals for us, so all in all a great result for us tonight.”

David Micevski said it was a vital to get the three points, after beating Bayswater last week.

“A win was vital to stay in the hunt at the top, so the three points tonight was really important especially after the big win last week,” he said.

“We all worked hard tonight and all put in a good shift. I was real pleased to score the winner, but more important is the three points for the team, and it was nice to get the pass for it from my brother Daniel, we’ve done that move in the park a number of times over the years.”

The visitors dominated early, with Jamie Gibson firing over, before Daniel Micevski’s shot on the run fizzed over the top.

Then on 17 minutes they hit the front. Teeboy Kamara raced clear and was crudely brought down by Perth keeper Francis Soale outside the area, and to the surprise of many he was only shown a yellow card by referee Adam Fielding.

But David Micevski took revenge from the resulting free kick, curling home superbly past Soale to give the Lions a well-deserved lead.

Perth were struggling in the final third, but their best chance of the half came on 37 minutes, Nathan Diaz heading over from Dino Topcagic’s corner.

But in the final minute the Lions almost doubled their advantage. Miki Vujacic’s corner was headed back across goal by Graham Doran, and Daniel Micevski header was well saved by Soale.

Perth began well after half time and Tom King fired over from an early free kick, before Andreas Theodosiades was denied by a superb tackle from David Sesay.

The home side were on top but they suffered a blow on 75 minutes, when Pizzata received a second yellow card from referee Fielding.

But two minutes later the ten men levelled. Catarcione wriggled his way into the penalty area and was brought down by Shane Cassidy and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

The Brazilian striker picked himself up and sent Lions keeper John Perkins the wrong way to level it.

The Lions pressed late looking to make their numerical advantage count, and David Micevski’s free kick from the edge of the penalty flashed agonizingly wide in the 90th minute.

It looked like Perth, with skipper Adrian Madaschi outstanding, would hold out for a share of the spoils but in the fourth minute of stoppage time the Lions won it.

Daniel Micevski threaded a superb through ball for his brother David, who raced in to the box and finished clinically past Soale, to set of wild celebrations on and off the pitch.

Perth SC 1 (Catarcione 78mins)
Stirling Lions 2 (David Micevski 17mins, 94)

Sunday June 26, 2016
Venue: Dorrien Gardens, West Perth
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistants: Josh Mannella, Simon Hicks

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 3 Andreas THEODOSIADES (17 Francesco FURFARO 83’), 4 Adrian MADASCHI, 5 Nathan DIAZ, 8 Tom KING, 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10 Nicholas AMBROGIO (2 David FILIPPOU 46’), 12 Jordan DE LEO, 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 14 Dino TOPCAGIC, 16 Thomas JEBB (7 Aleksandar JOVIC 67’)
Subs not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI, 15 Hayley ORR
Yellow Cards: Soale 16’, Pizzata 23’, 75’, Madaschi 32’, Topcagic 72’, De Leo 80’, Diaz 88’, Furfaro 90’
Red Cards: Pizzata 75’

Stirling Lions: GK John PERKINS, 3 Lukas DA LIMA (6 Brodie MARTIN 74’), 5 Graham DORAN, 7. Miki VUJACIC, 8 David SESAY, 9 Jamie GIBSON, 10 Daniel MICEVSKI, 11 David MICEVSKI, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathiang MATHIANG, 17 Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: RGK Connor CAMPBELL, 2 Bleron MAMUDI, 12 Benjamin CAMPBELL, 13 William KESSEL
Yellow Cards: Gibson 32’

Lions down Subiaco

Stirling Lions put an end to a run of three consecutive losses after a convincing 3-1 win over Subiaco at Rosalie Park on Saturday.

Report by Gunther De Vos

Daniel Micevski, Shane Cassidy and Teeboy Kamara got on the scoreboard to take the visitors to fourth place.

Subiaco could not secure a second win of the season despite a goal from new boy Michael Lawson and remains stuck to the bottom of the ladder.

One week after their first win of the season, Subiaco was eager to get a second victory against the team that gave them a 7-1 thrashing in round one.

A shot from striker Adam White, last week’s hero with a brace, ended on the wrong side of a post.

The Lions didn’t let Subiaco create more opportunities and opened scoring themselves after 22 minutes.

The Subiaco defence had an unlucky touch to a set piece from Stirling captain Milorad Vujacic and Daniel Micevski did not miss the golden opportunity to net.

Subiaco responded with two headers from James Casserly after corner kicks, but on both occasions the ball went wide of Stirling goalkeeper John Perkins’ goal.

The Lions did better at another set piece six minutes before the break. Vujacic again offered the perfect assist. This time it was Shane Cassidy who responded to score the Lions’ second.

Lions’ coach Rob Milevski was happy to score from two set pieces.

“Our captain did really well to bring the ball from those free kicks,” he said.

“The last couple of weeks we dried up a bit. I am pleased to have scored a few goals again. We controlled the game and defended well.”

The Lion’s came out the more dangerous team after the break. Mathiang Mathiang, Teeboy Kamara and Jamie Gibson all had good opportunities, but could not convert them into goals.

After excellent collective midfield play, Subiaco’s new signing Michael Lawson delivered a clinical finish from outside the box to bring the home team back in the game.

With 10 minutes to play, Kamara put the game to bed with his ninth goal of the season after an excellent pass from David Micevski.

Subiaco coach Michael Brazil said his side did not create enough chances.

“Last week we put in a very good performance. Now it was pretty poor,” he said.

“The intensity wasn’t there. And we weren’t helped by some decisions that were made.”

Subiaco AFC 1 (Lawson 67min)
Stirling Lions 3 (Dan. Micevksi 22, Cassidy 39, Kamara 89)

Saturday, June 11, 2016
Rosalie Park, Subiaco
Kick-off: 3:00 pm

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY (GK), 6. Kevin CASTLE, 5. James CASSERLY, 14. Stefan HILL, 4. Jackson DONGRAY, 13. Dylan ANDREWS (12. Jonas DORLING 69), 2. Michael LAWSON, 10. Rory FEELY, 11. Owen COATES, 8. Kevin WHITE, 18. Jackson DARNELL (9. Banin HASHEM 84).
Substitutes not used: Ger FITZGERALD, Ross JARMAN, Michael COHEN
Yellow cards: Casserly 5, Castle 62, Montgomery 90+1
Red cards: nil

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS (GK), 16. Mathiang MATHIANG, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 5. Graham DORAN (13. William KESSEL 85), 7. Milorad VUJACIC, 4. Blamo QUA QUA, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 9. Jamie GIBSON (3. Lukas DE LIMA 77), 17. Teeboy KAMARA (12. Bleron MAMUDI 90+2).
Substitutes not used: Connor CAMPBELL
Yellow cards: Kamara 25, Qua Qua 28, Mathiang 89
Red cards: nil

Cup Heartbreak In Semi Final

Two goals from Angel Andres have earned Cockburn City a place in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 after their 2-1 win over Stirling Lions at Macedonia Park yesterday.

Winning coach Scott Miller praised the unpredictability of cup football – and appropriately so, with Cockburn losing 7-2 when the teams last met in the Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues WA two months ago.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” Miller said. “I thought (playing at Macedonia Park) was going to make it a hard one. But the boys played really well – I thought our defensive work at the back was outstanding.”

Cockburn have also earned a place in the Cool Ridge Cup final on July 23 at Dorrien Gardens where they will take on Floreat Athena.

Stirling had a few chances early with winger Teeboy Kamara coming closes with a shot that flew across the face of goal. Cockburn, however, were first to draw blood.

A quick counter-attack that started from the goalkeeper resulted in Andres firing home from outside the box in the 23rd minute.

The celebrations were short-lived, however, as Stirling drew level thanks to a superb strike from Graham Doran on the half hour.

The sides could not be separated until a clumsy challenge led to a Cockburn penalty that was converted by Andres.

Despite multiple breakaway attempts from Kamara and a painfully close headed attempt late in the game by Doran, Stirling were unable to find an equaliser.

Stirling coach Robert Milevski was disappointed with the outcome, especially given his side had conceded two penalties in as many games.

“We’ve narrowly lost our last four games,” Milevski said. “The effort was there today and on Saturday (in the NPLWA against Perth Glory), but again, some decisions have cost us, which led into the frustration in today’s game.”

He conceded his team needed to improve up front to reclaim its early season form.

“We scored 30 goals in our first eight games and I think in the last four we’ve only scored two,” he said.

“The attacking third is definitely lacking a bit of confidence there and we haven’t been ourselves … we’ll sit down and have a chat about it and go from there. The boys are gutted.”

Report by Kane Sutton

Stirling FC 1 (Graham Doran 29min)
Cockburn City 2 (Angel Andres 23, 72pen)

Monday, June 6, 2016
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 2:30pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant Referees: Josh Mannella, Michal Jasinki

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, (3. Mohamed AWAD), 4. Blama QUAQUA, 5. Graham DORAN (29′), 7. Miki VUJACIC, 8. David SESAY, 9. Jamie GIBSON, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: 12. Jason RUBIDGE, 13. William KESSEL, 16. Lukas DELIMA, 20. Connor CAMPBELL
Yellow cards: 2. Michael PUGLIESE (79), 17. Teeboy KAMARA (89)
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 3. Josh KUSAR, 6. Ruben TRISTIAO, 7. Ali GHOLAMI, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9 Angel ANDRES, 10. Dane ARRAYA, 11. Harri O’BRIEN, 12. Kenal MOUITHYS, 13. Blake ADAMS, 15. Daniel DOLS
Substitutes not used: 2. Nathan DE ABREU, 4. Even GRANT, 14. Julian TELES, 17. Jesse LAZZARO, 23. Ryan BARKER
Yellow cards: Ruben TRISTIAO (80′)
Red cards: Nil

Stirling undone by Glory in 89th

Perth Glory striker Joseph Knowles last minute penalty gave his side a 1-0 victory over Stirling Lions at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

It looked like the game was going to end goalless, until David Micevski was adjudged to bring down Sean Troup in the box and Knowles converted the resulting penalty in the 89th minute.

Glory coach John Gibson was ecstatic with his team’s performance.

“We just wanted a positive reaction from the group and today the boys were outstanding,” he said.

“With our recent games we have had a few hiccups at certain stages and this week we followed it through until full time.”

The home side started proceeding stronger, dominating possession and creating several chances in the opening 15 minutes.

Glory had their first real chance in the 16th minute as Stirling failed to clear their lines, although Cal Whitney’s effort on goal sailed over the bar.

Not long after Nic Talimdzioski broke down the left and raced towards the goal, but Stirling keeper John Perkins saved his low shot and again managed to parry away a follow up strike by Dejan Spaspeski.

In the 20th minute David Micevski outpaced the Glory defence from a long ball but was brought to ground by an onrushing Glory keeper who was lucky to be shown a yellow.

In the closing stages of the half Glory had a couple of chances but neither Talimdzioski or Stynes could open the scoring.

Only a few minutes into the second half, Glory’s Scott Robertson was fortunate not to see red after a rash challenge on Blamo Qua Qua.

Stynes had another excellent opportunity in the 60th minute to put Glory in front, although his effort from inside the box was straight at the Lions keeper.

In the 63rd minute, Miki Vujacic delivery for Stirling was headed just wide by defender Shane Cassidy.

Although, the closest Stirling came to breaking the deadlock was in the 72nd minute when Daniel Micevski header came back off the cross bar.

Stirling coach Rob Milevski was disappointed with his team’s missed opportunities and not coming away with the much needed three points.

“The last few weeks we have been a bit too complacent and not taking our chances,” he said.

“Unfortunately today it didn’t go our way with a few of the decisions which added to the frustration for our players.”

The result sees Stirling drop one place down to fifth on the table, while Glory move up to tenth.

Stirling Lions 0
Perth Glory 1 (89′ Joseph Knowles)

Saturday, June 4, 2016
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant Referees: Brian McDonald and Darren Quinlan

Stirling: GK John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 4. Blamo QUA QUA, 6. Brodie MARTIN (c) (13. William KESSEL 44′) 7. Milorad VUJACIC, 8. David SESAY (9. Lukas DE LIMA 86′), 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 12. Jason RUBIDGE (3. Ben CAMPBELL 78′) 15. Shane CASSIDY, 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: 5. Graham DORAN, 20. Connor Campbell
Yellow cards: Teeboy 31′, Pugliese 40′, Vujacic 53′, Micevski 88′
Red cards: nil

Perth Glory: 1. Riley STEPHENSON, 2. Gian ALBANO, 3. Ben Johns (14. Cameron MURRAY 74′) 4. Jack IREDALE (15. Scott ROBERTSON 45′) 5. Ross MILLARD, 6. Cal WHITNEY, 7. Sean TROUP, 8. Dejan SPASPESKI (13. Jacob MUSTAFA 86′) 9. Joseph KNOWLES, 10. Daniel STYNES, 11. Nic TALIMDZIOSKI
Substitutes not used: 12. Chok DAW, 20. Jackson LEE
Yellow cards: Iredale 18′, Stephenson 20′, Whitney 31′, Robertson 53′
Red cards: nil

U18s On The Up

Stirling Lions Under-18 s are playing an exciting attacking brand of football which has them currently sitting in the top two at the half way point of the National Premier League season 2016. A brand which has them hot on the heels of competition leaders Perth Glory FC.

“The winning attitude of the players has been very impressive , coach Keegan Ashley commented. “The team are all very hungry and have a constant Will to win , we feel we are able to beat any team as long as we work hard at training and on game day ”

That approach has earned the Under-18s the league’s best defensive record as well as being the competitions second highest goalscorers. “We’ve got a very talented team and have been able to promote and help develop players in the 20s such as Nigel Smith , Bleron Mamudi , Alan Reidy , Adrian Kois , and Mason Langham. We’ve also been able to promote Ben Campbell into the first team ,” said Ashley. “ All the boys are capable of playing higher and with our football operations manager Johnny Alavakis , first team coach Rob Milevski and 20s coach Mark Windeatt we are able to manage the situation and keep all teams as strong as possible creating a unique environment in which to work. An environment to attract and work with some of the best talent in WA. The boys want to win things and with Sam Atkins my assistant and myself will be doing all we can to make that happen.

The team has many premiership players in it from last season , which is a big plus for the club moving forward. Also adding to the group are players we have picked which possess that extra edge required to make the team hard to breakdown.

“Coming back to the club after many years away has been a breath of fresh air for me. All the support from the senior coach Rob Milevski and all those attached to the club has made me feel very comfortable and really backed up my decision to come back to the club where I grew up , and had some success as a player at junior and senior level ”

Stirling Lions Under- 18 NPL squad features Nicholas Ashley, Callum Atkins, Ben Campbell, Jayden Dods, Mason Langham, Robbie McNeill, Bleron Mamudi, Joseph Perkins, Nigel Smith Oliver Watson , Adrian Kois , Daniel Stone , Alan Reidy , Tom Balch , Denzil Tshuma , Mathew Lewis , Nathan Kois (RGK)

Joining Keegan Ashley on the sidelines are Sam Atkins (assistant coach) and Stuart Campbell (team manager).