29.01.11 - Five star Lions thrash Bayswater

Stirling Lions reached the quarter finals of the BAM Creative Night Series with a stunning 5-0 win against Bayswater City at Macedonia Park on Friday evening. Goals from Jamie Watt and Jamie De Abreu in the first half set them on their way, and new signing Corey Cullen and a Roberto Lujan brace in the second gave Paul Lincoln’s side top spot in group B.

Lincoln made three changes to the side that bet Swan United 5-1 last time out. In came new signings Paul Dugdale, Corey Cullen and David Perich, Denis Galan and Huss Awada dropped to the bench and Rick del Basso was rested.

It was Bayswater who began well and on four minutes Lions new midfielder David Perich was caught in possession in the middle of the park by Gavin Knight, and his run and shot was saved low by James Turvill.

Bayswater were playing some good football, but lacked the final ball, and the Lions began to get into the game. They went close to the opener on 13 minutes; Paul Dugdale’s free kick from the right was headed inches wide by Watt at the back post.

Both sides could make the next phase of the tournament with a win, and both were pushing men forward. First on 16 minutes Dugdale and Lujan combined down the left for the Lions, and Dugdale’s cross picked out Watt who fired inches over the bar from six-yards.

Moments later Bayswater striker Knight crossed from the left and Carlos Lopez’ flick was blocked by Turvill and cleared by defender Jason Gavin.

On the half hour Bayswater almost hit the front. A great run down the right by Joshua Tumoe, saw the winger cut inside Bobby Wilson, his cross deflected off Gavin, and agonizingly for the Bayswater supporters crashed of the base of the near post.

With that let off the Lions hit back immediately and they were in front sixty seconds later. The Bayswater defence didn’t clear their lines and the ball fell to Watt, who curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner of the net from 20-yards.

The goal seemed to settle the home side and they doubled their lead seven minutes later. De Abreu won the ball on the right and outpaced Nathan Diaz, before cutting inside the penalty area and finished clinically past Papalia.

It was more of the same after the break, with both sides going close. Phil O’Callaghan’s free kick from 20-yards dipped inches over the bar early on, before Damien Catalano fired inches over for Bayswater, but it was the Lions who added a third on 67 minutes.

Lions’ skipper Michael Pugliese sent Watt clear on the left. The striker pulled the ball back to new signing Corey Cullen who fired home from the edge of the box.

It was 4-0 four minutes later; Cullen was the provider this time. The American imports superb through ball sent Lujan clear, and the pacey winger fired home from 12-yards.

To Bayswater’s credit they continued to press and Catalano’s shot on 77 minutes beat Turvill but flicked the outside of the post.

But eight minutes from time the Lions added a fifth, Lujan’s low shot flew into the net from the edge of the box to give Paul Lincoln’s side a well-deserved victory, and he was delighted after the game.

“I was really pleased with the boys tonight in trying conditions. There was some quality finishing tonight and we worked hard for each other, which was pleasing,” Lincoln said.

“The new lads have settled in well and Paul Dugdale was excellent tonight for us, and it’s great to see Roberto Lujan pop up with a couple of goals tonight after struggling with injury last season.”

Stirling Lions 5 (Watt 31’, De Abreu38’, Cullen 67’, Lujan 71’, 82’)
Bayswater City 0
Friday, 28th January 2011
Macedonia Park, Stirling
Local kick-off: 8.30pm
Attendance: 400
Referee: Josh Mihevc
Assistant referees: Michael Nugus and Chris Howell
Stirling Lions – GK James TURVILL, 3 Jason GAVIN, 4 Michael PUGLIESE (2 Mitchell CROCKER 73’), 6 Jamie DE ABREU (5 Denis GALAN 82’), 7 Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 8 Jamie WATT, 10 David PERICH (13 Huss AWADA 73’), 12 Paul DUGDALE, 14 Roberto LUJAN, 18 Bobby WILSON, 19 Corey CULLEN
Substitutes not used: RGK Cory HUGO, 17 Adriano D’Adamo
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Bayswater City: GK Gianni PAPALIA, 2 Cesar GONZALEZ, 4 Nathan DIAZ (11 David MOSCHILLA 46’), 5 George TCHAMI, 7 Alex CANIGLIA, 8 Anthony MCSTEA, 9 Gavin KNIGHT, 10 Damien CATALANO, 12 Thomas GOODING (13 Frank MODAFFERI 68’), 14 Joshua TUMOE, 15 Carlos LOPEZ (16 Francisco JORQUERA 44’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Francis ALLEN, 6 Goran RADINOVIC
Yellow cards: Tumoe 27’, Tchami 87’
Red cards: Nil

23.01.11 - Lions come from behind to beat United

Stirling Lions moved clear at the top of group B table in the Bam Creative Night Series, after a 5-1 victory against Swan United at Macedonia Park on Sunday evening.

The Lions had to come from behind to earn the three points, after United hit the front early, John Monterosso firing home. But a double from Michael Pugliese and a Bobby Wilson header gave the Lions a 3-1 lead at half time. After the break Jamie Watt bagged a brace to give the home side a comfortable win.

It was a fast start by the first division side and they were ahead on five minutes. Diego Garcia’s inch perfect through ball sent John Monterosso clear and the striker finished low past Lions keeper James Turvill.

But their lead was short lived, with the Lions levelling five minutes later. Phil O’Callaghan’s corner from the right was headed home by Wilson at the back post.

The big crowd were on the edge of their seats with chances at both ends. First on 20 minutes a cross from the right by Jamie De Abreu was dropped by United’s keeper Daniel Agudelo, but he was quick to react to block Watt’s follow up shot.

Then sixty seconds later United should have regained the lead. Thomas Shepheard’s ball sent John Monterosso clear; the striker rounded Turvill but blazed over from eight-yards.

United were growing in confidence and on 28 minutes a great run by defender Rory Hollinghum ended with a great ball into Garcia, but with just Turvill to beat the strikers low shot drifted agonisingly past the far post.

It was end-to-end football and on the half hour a great ball from Wilson sent Watt clear down the left. The United defence looked in vain for the offside flag, that never came, and Watt’s cross picked out Roberto Lujan who fired well wide.  

Moments later Turvill came to his sides rescue with a stunning one-handed save to deny John Monterosso’s long-range shot.

Lions then hit the front on 36 minutes. Jason Gavin was brought down on the edge of box, and Wilson’s free kick was well saved by Agudelo, but Pugliese was quickest to react firing home at the back post.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of United, and three minutes later De Abreu’s shot from 10-yards was cleared off the line by Chris Marshall.

On the stroke of half time the Lions added a third. United didn’t clear a corner and when the ball fell to Watt his first time shot was well saved by Agudelo, but again Pugliese was there to fire home the rebound.

After the break John Monterosso’s long-range shot whistled past the post as United opened well, but the home made certain of the points with two goals in five minutes.
First on 69 minutes Huss Awada cross picked out Watt, who finished clinically past Agudelo. Then five minutes later a quick break down the right by De Abreu ended with a cross to Watt, who again finished with aplomb from six-yards

To United’s credit they continued to take the game to The Lions and on 80 minutes Robert Monterosso’s long-range shot flashed wide of the target, before United keeper Agudelo denied Watt his hat-trick with a superb save on 83 minutes.

Lions’ Coach Paul Lincoln was pleased with the performance, despite the slow start. “We were concern at the start, but credit to John and the Swan side, they played attacking football and caught us on the counter attack a few times. But we had a talk at the break and I think we over ran them at the end,” Lincoln said.    

“I thought Jamie Watt’s goals were superbly taken, and the big win makes our goal difference healthier which is pleasing.”  

United Coach John O’Reilly was left to rue missed chances in the first half. “Goals can change games, but we didn’t take our chances in the first half. I was pleased with our approach work but if we had taken those first half chances the result may have been different,” O’Reilly said.

“It’s still early days for us, but this tournament will give us some much needed game time ahead of the first division night series next month.’

Stirling Lions 5 (WILSON 10’, PUGLIESE 36’, 45', WATT 69’, 74’)
Swan United 1 (John MONTOROSSO 5’)
Sunday, 23rd December 2010
Macedonia Park
Local kick-off: 7.00pm
Referee: Kevin Taylor
Assistant referees: Taz Paraskevas and Scott Ferguson
Stirling Lions: GK James TURVILL, 2 Michael PUGLIESE (16 Mitchell CROCKER 72’), 3 Denis GALAN, 4 Jason GAVIN, 6 Jamie DE ABREU, 7 Phil O'CALLAGHAN, 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Rick DEL BASSO (12 Paul DUGDALE 55’), 13 Huss AWADA, 14 Roberto LUJAN (17 Tim HILL 81’), 18 Jamie WATT  - Substitutes not used – RGK Cory HUGO, 15 Nick OLSEN - Yellow Cards – Pugliese 25’
Swan United: 1 Daniel AGUDELO, 2 Niall MURPHY, 3 Trent WOOD, 4 Robert MONTOROSSO,6 Rory HOLLINGHUM (14 Mark DONNELLY 81’), 10 Diego GARCIA (7 Timmy RADDON 62’),  12 Chris MARSHALL, 17 Jake DE RA,  18 John MONTOROSSO (8 Michael TRONCHIN 81’), 19 Scott CAMPBELL, 20 Thomas SHEPHEARD - Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan HOWELL, 11 Adam PYGRUM - Yellow Cards – Woods 18’

15.01.11 - Lions held in Night Series opener

Stirling Lions began their 2011 Bam Creative Night Series with a hard fought 1-1 draw against ECU Joondalup at Macedonia Park on Friday evening.

Young midfielder David Hunt gave the Lions the lead on the hour mark, the 18-year-old firing low past ECU keeper Andy Banks for his first goal for the club. But ECU hit back on 74 minutes, when second half substitute Neill Chappell fired home from close-range to give both sides a share of the spoils.

Both sides had new faces in their starting line ups with the Lions giving debuts to keeper Cory Hugo, and Huss Awada, while former ECU striker Jamie Watt was on the bench. Also in the starting line-up were Lions junior players Hunt, Rick Del Basso, James Street and Adriano D’Adamo.

ECU welcomed Chappell, Oliver McGhee, Ross Edwards and Ross Laing to their starting line-up, while ECU Academy player Jon Stynes, Shane Doyle made his first start in the first team

The match began with a minute's silence for the flood tragedy affecting Queensland and a crowd of over 500 was on hand to witness a cracking opening to the game.

ECU striker John Thornley had the first opportunity, but he mishit his effort, skewing the ball wide of the target when well placed.
At the other end of the park Jamie De Abreu was causing the ECU defence all sorts of problems with his blistering pace, and his shot moments later was well saved by Joondalup goalkeeper Andy Banks, and strike partner Phil O'Callaghan, who was playing against his former club, was just inches away from the rebound.

New ECU midfielder Stynes looked impressive on his debut in midfield and his dangerous free kick on the half hour was headed just wide by McGhee from six-yards.

De Abreu was at it again a few minutes later, when he surged past Edwards on the right and into the penalty area, but Banks was alert to deny the youngster the opener.

Banks came to his sides rescue again moments later, De Abreu’s mazy run ended with a curling shot from the edge of the box which well saved by the ECU custodian at full stretch.

ECU came out with all guns blazing after the break and skipper Jon Higgins’ free kick flashed inches over the top, but it was the home side that broke the deadlock on 61 minutes.

Hugo played the ball out to Bobby Wilson who found Hunt on the left. The youngster played a one-two with Watt and finished low past Banks, much to the delight of the Lions faithful.

The Lions went in for the kill looking for a second and Watt's acrobatic overhead kick whistled inches the wrong side of the post, however Chappell had other ideas and ECU were level on 74 minutes.

Scott Blackmore and Chappell combined to send second substitute Jordan Dodds clear down the right. The youngster cut inside the box and found Chappell and he fired home from close range.

There were chances at both ends as the game entered the final ten minutes. Watt was a constant threat for the Lions and his diving header went just wide of the target, while Joondalup substitute Josh Brook was denied by a superb save from Hugo at the other end.
Late on it was Banks again who saved ECU, this time pulling off a superb one-handed save after Awada’s deflected shot looked set for the top corner.

Chappell then had the final chance to win the game for Joondalup, but his shot crashed of the post and the points were shared.
Lions Coach Paul Lincoln was pleased with the performance of his side. “The game was a tight contest as I expected it with both sides creating opportunities to score – we created some clear cut chances which may have converted on another night,” Lincoln said.

“It took us a while to get going, but overall I’m pleased with the performance of the team. David Hunt worked really hard and was awarded with a well taken goal. Michael Pugliese and Jason Gavin had good games along with Phil O’Callaghan who should have headed home the winner late in the game. We were thankful to Cory Hugo, who made two fantastic saves, while Huss Awada showed glimpses of what he has to offer and I feel will get better as the season goes on.”

ECU Joondalup Coach Steve Amphlett was also pleased with his side’s performance, and had special praise for his keeper. “I was very pleased with the efforts of the players tonight, we’ve only had five training sessions so far but the shape was good and the new players blended in well,” Amphlett said.

“Both teams had chances to win the game, however Andy Banks capped off a superb match with a fingertip save that was destined for the top corner.

“It was a chance for the young players to impress and I thought Jon Stynes was outstanding. The new back two pairing of Ross Edwards and Oliver McGhee were excellent and both very vocal. The team will only get better as we get fitter and the new players blend in with the way we are trying to play.”

Stirling Lions: 20 Cory HUGO (gk), 4 Jason GAVIN, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 5 James STREET 6 Jamie DE ABREU, 7 Phil O'CALLAGHAN, 9 Rick DEL BASSO, 13 Huss AWADA (14 Roberto LUJAN 64'), 17 Adriano D'ADAMO (18 Jamie WATT 55'), 19 David HUNT (14 Roberto LUJAN 64'), 16 Ian STACK (8 Bobby WILSON 32’),
Substitutes not used: 1 James TURVILL (gk), 3 Dennis GALAN
ECU Joondalup: 1 Andy BANKS (gk), 3 Chris WHYLIE, 4 Oliver McGHEE, 7 John HIGGINS, 9 John THORNLEY (22 Jordan DODDS 62'), 10 Jonathan STYNES, 13 Jake BENSON-COOPER, 17 Shane DOYLE (15 Josh BROOK 71'), 19 Ross LAING (23 Neil CHAPPELL 45'), 24 Ross EDWARDS, 8 Scott BLACKMORE
Substitutes not used: 6 Jamie KIDD
Referee -   Josh MIHEVC
Attendance - 530

07.01.11 - Lions lose to Selangor in friendly

Stirling Lions’ first hit out of the new season ended with a 1-2 defeat in a pre-season friendly against Malaysian Super League Champions Selangor at Vasto reserve on Friday evening.

The visitors hit the front from the penalty spot on 35 minutes, when keeper Lief Craddock brought down their striker and Mohd Razman Roslan fired home.. The best chance for the Lions came moments later when Michael Pugliese’s powerful header crashed back off the crossbar.

The visitors added a second three minutes into the second half, Mohd Safee Sali scoring, but the Lions were back in the game on the hour. Midfielder Jamie De Abrue broke down the right, and played a firm low cross into the box allowing Phil O’Callaghan to finish off well at the near post.

The Lions pressed late lucking for the equaliser and they had plenty of chances to secure a draw but they were unable to beat Selangor keeper Fairul Azwan Shahrullail.

Lions’ coach Paul Lincoln was happy with the performance from his young side. “I was pleased with the performance of a new look side.  “I thought Rick Del Basso and James Street both played well but the willingness of the players to work hard for each other was very pleasing,” Lincoln said.

Lions line up – GK  Lief Craddock, 2 Rick Del Basso, 3 Michael Pugliese, 4 James Street, 5 Ian Stack, 6 Jamie De Abreu, 7 Huss Awada, 8 David Hunt, 9 Corey Cullen, 10 Phil O’Callaghan, 11 Adriano D’Adamo – Subs - Roberto Lujan, Mike Martin, Tim Hill, Mitchell Crocker, Dennis Galan, Remo Vendetti, Owen Curtis 

22.08.10 - Boi gives Lions the State League Cup Final

Stirling Lions have taken out the 2010 State League Cup Final, after a 2-1 win against Floreat Athena at Frank Drago Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was a sensational opening to the game with two goals in the opening four minutes. Phil Arnold gave the Lions the lead in the opening sixty seconds, but Floreat levelled three minutes later, when the unfortunate Michael Pugliese scored an own goal. But the former Perth Glory Youth player, Ludovic Boi, settled the contest in the 32nd minute, with the winner from close-range.
The tricky midfielder was delighted to have helped the club to the cup victory. “It’s a great win for our club today, we haven’t had a good record against Floreat in the cup in recent years, so today’s win is fantastic,” Boi said.
“It’s a great feeling to have scored the winner, but we had to hang on at the end. The boys gave 100% today, and we had to battle to the end.”

Both sides made changes to their starting line-ups for the big game. The Lions brought back former Nott’s County defender Bobby Wilson and striker Mario Marcinko into the side, to replace Dennis Galan and Stef Frost who both dropped to the bench. Floreat Athena made one change to their side, with Mo Atak replacing Johny Mirco, who dropped to the bench.

There was a big crowd of 2,621 on hand to witness the showpiece of the Football West season, and there wasn’t time for the fans to settle in their seats, when the Lions hit the front. A long-throw by Scott Muirhead from the left was misjudged by Floreat keeper Alex Dunn, and Arnold was in the right place at the right time to head home at the back post.
It wasn’t the start Floreat would have wanted, but they were back in the game three minutes later. A great through ball from skipper Branimir Mikulic found Jared Smith on the left of the penalty area. The winger rounded keeper James Turvill and his cross into the penalty area caused confusion in the Lions defence and when Paul Dickson tried to clear the ball it hit defender Pugliese and found its way into the net.

Floreat were almost undone again by Muirhead’s long-throw on nine minutes, Marcinko finding space in the penalty area, but headed straight at Dunn.
Ante Kovacevic’s side were struggling to get into the game but on 12 minutes a good run by Atak saw him burst clear on the right, he cut inside Muirhead but his shot was straight at Turvill who saved.
The teenage keeper, who had a few worrying moments with balls into his penalty area early, had to be alert on 20 minutes, coming out to save at the feet of Mikulic.

It was the Lions who were dominating possession and they made it count on 32 minutes, when they re-took the lead. Again it was a Muirhead long-throw that caused problems in the Floreat area, and when Marcinko flicked the ball on Boi drifted into the box and fired home from close-range, much to the delight of the Lions’ faithful.

Floreat looked for an immediate response and they went close five minutes later. Daniel Niederberger’s shot from the edge of the box was heading for the top corner, but Turvill produced a stunning save at full stretch to deny him.
The Lions ended the half the better and on 44 minutes a long ball by Matthew Stares sent Marcinko clear. He outpaced Kovacevic, but his lob from 10-yards drifted inches past the far post.

In first half stoppage time it was Marcinko again who was sent clear, the former Perth Glory Youth striker rounded Dunn, but Julian Madaschi produced a great saving tackle to deny him. From the resulting corner from Muirhead, Wilson headed wide from four-yards, and at the break it was 2-1 to the Lions.

The second half started as the first half ended, with the Lions pressing. Phil Arnold’s run and shot from the edge of the box three minutes in flashed wide of the post. Then Lions skipper Shane Robinson tried his luck from a free kick from 16-yards on 55 minutes, but his curling shot went well over the top.

Floreat brought on John Migas and Johny Mirco as they pressed for the equaliser, and Adam Bachiller and Atak had long-range effort’s that missed the target.
The Floreat supporters behind the goal were adamant they had a penalty on 77 minutes, when Mikulic was brought down by Paul Dickson, but referee Mathew Cheeseman was well placed to wave away the Floreat protests.
As the game moved into the final quarter Floreat began to dominate, and on 75 minutes Mirco’s cross was superbly brought down by Mikulic and his shot on the turn was saved low by Turvill.
It was one-way traffic as Floreat pressed for the equaliser, and Bachiller’s shot from the edge of the box was straight at Turvill, and on 88 minutes Floreat had another penalty claim turned down by the referee when Mirco seemed to be brought down by Wilson, but again Cheeseman waved away their protests.

In the fourth minute of injury-time, Floreat almost levelled. Mirco played in Mikulic, who raced clear but Turvill was out bravely to save at his feet.
At the final whistle the Lions celebrated a famous victory and Coach Paul Lincoln was delighted with the win, his first as coach of the Macedonia Park club. “The boy’s played well today, we had a game plan and they stuck to it. I thought the first half we should have been 4-1 up, young Mario (Marcinko) had two one-on-one’s, and if one of them goes in it’s a different game,” Lincoln said.
“To Floreat’s credit they caused us plenty of problems in the last fifteen minutes, and I think they will be a bit disappointed not to get anything out of the game, but that’s football I’m delighted to get the result.”

Floreat assistant Coach Taki Nicolaidis was extremely disappointed with the result and the first half performance from his side. “We fought the game out well, but it’s a 90 minute game, we didn’t perform in the first 75 minutes which was disappointing,” Nicolaidis said.
State League Cup Final
August 22nd 2010
@ Frank Drago Reserve
Stirling Lions 2 (Arnold 1’, Boi 32’)
Floreat Athena 1 (O’G Pugliese 4’)
Referee – Mathew Cheeseman
Assistant referees – Tim Mihevc and Ross Sardi
Attendance – 2, 621
STIRLING LIONS: GK James TURVILL, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 3 Scott MUIRHEAD, 6 Paul DICKSON, 7 Tom INGRAM, 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Mario MARCINKO, 10 Shane ROBINSON,12 Ludo BOI (17 Ndumba MUKECHIE 86’), 14 Phil ARNOLD (11 Stef FROST 77’), 15 Matt STARES – SUBS NOT USED: RGK Anthony SALPIETRO, 5 Dennis GALAN, 16 Dave SESAY
Yellow Cards – Muirhead 45’ +2)
FLOREAT ATHENA: 1 Alex DUNN, 2 Jarrad SMITH (11 Johnny MIRCO 70’), 4 Julian MADASCHI, 6 Miki VUJACIC (13 Johnny MIGAS 59’), 8 Adam BACHILLER, 9 David NIEDERBERGER, 10 Jason BARRERA, 12. Branimir MIKULIC, 14 Mo ATAK, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 17 Ante KOVACEVIC – SUBS NOT USED: RGK Jakub CHUDY, 15 Paul VATISTAS, 22 Adam WOOD
Yellow Cards – Pavlovic 53’