The U18’s are into the Top 4 Cup Final after a 3-0 victory over Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens last Saturday.

Having already beaten Glory to the League title the week before with a 3-1 win at Ashfield Arena, playing some stellar football , the Stirling boys backed it up with another winning performance to head straight to the Grand Final.

Perth Glory came out of the blocks quickly and settled into their usual possession style of football, pegging Stirling back into their own half for considerable periods during the first half. Having A League coach Kenny Lowe on the bench seemed to give them a lift.

Glory came close on a few occasions but for the most part were repelled in attack by a solid back line of Alan Reidy, Jayden Dods, Mason Langham and Ollie Watson. When Glory did manage to get the ball on target, goalkeeper Callum Atkins was always well positioned to save or direct the ball around the goal posts. Atkins pulled off a tremendous one handed save when the Glory striker managed to breach the defence for a one on one with the Stirling keeper. The save seemed to lift the Stirling side and just before half time, Tom Balch ghosted forward to the edge of the Glory penalty box after Stirling launched a trade mark counter attack to bury a cross into the net. Stirling went into the half time break 1-0 up but the big talking point at the break from the Stirling supporters was the defence being able to hold the Glory side out after having the kitchen sink thrown at them for at least 40 minutes prior to Stirling’s goal. It was a superb display from the defence and the whole team for that matter and really demonstrated the training sessions held in ball possession to the opponent which really proved pivotal.

Coaches Keegan Ashley and a rather unwell Sam Atkins must have said the right things at the break and adjusted player rotations because the Stirling side came out with more purpose from the beginning of the second half. Ben Campbell could have given Stirling a two goal buffer early on after good work down the right from Bleron Mamudi who found Campbell on his own in the box, only for the Stirling striker to misdirect a first time strike wide of the left post. As Glory pushed for a goal, openings began to appear and Stirling managed to go another goal up courtesy of a well taken finish from Mamuidi who beat his marker, rounded the Glory keeper and finished well with his left foot. The goal seemed to deflate the Glory side because from that point, Stirling always looked the more likely to score more goals and eventually did following substitute, Denzel Tshuma’s arrival into the penalty area to put away a cross for a 3-0 lead.

The final score was more reflective of the second half performance , had it not been for the hard working defensive effort from the boys of the back four and the midfield unit of Tom Balch, Robbie McNeill, Joey Perkins and Daniel Stone, the score line in the first half could have been in the Glory’s favour. Keegan Ashley said after the game ”The boys are winners with a winning mentality and worked very hard in the first half of the game , second half we started to get on the ball a lot more and we got our rewards.

Stirling play the winner of the Perth Glory v Subiaco match being played on Wednesday evening.

The Grand Final match is at Dorrien Gardens (Perth SC) on Saturday 10th Sept at 10.30am. Come along and support the boys!

U16s NPL Team had a very successful season winning the NPL group B League by 9 points.

They finished the regular season with 16 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The team scored 74 goals (highest scorers in the league) and conceded 20 goals (least goals conceded in the league).

Coach David Galbraith commented;

“I was always confident there would be a cutting edge to this team however what was really pleasing was the way the defence really came together and gave us the solid base to play off. This team was, in effect, a complete new team with only 7 of the 15 players having played NPL football before.

We started training in November 2015 and had 8 friendlies against quality opposition prior to the start of the season. This time proved invaluable in developing systems of play and as a result we had a great start to the season. Real credit goes to the players and how quickly they gelled as a team.

We won our first 13 games and never looked back playing a brand of high tempo, disciplined football.

The only disappointment was going out to Perth SC on penalties in the Top 4 Quarter Final (game finished 1-1). It is always a very cruel way to lose a game on penalty kicks.

Congratulations to the players and everyone involved with the U16s NPL team.”

Left to Right: Johann Moritz Silva, Mooprusee Mg, Nikolas Theodorou, George Bull, Chris Vonleh, Amann Alshebani, Filip Ciupac, Antonio Belcovski, Samuel Dweh, Fin Elliott, Matt Lewis, Thomas Hiotis, Qulan Dique, Kyle Cass, Gal Naveh

15 Players – 11 Nations – 1 Team (Stirling Lions U16s)

The U18’s wrapped up the league title with a 3 – 1 win over Perth Glory at Ashfield Arena on the final weekend of the league rounds.

The Stirling side went into the final game with a 3 point lead over Glory but an inferior goal difference meant that a loss would have resulted in Glory taking the title on goal difference. Stirling started the game strongly and created a few scoring opportunities early on before the first goal was chalked up following a corner. Mason Langham squared a ball that had gone beyond the far post back across the six yard box to Denzel Tshuma who neatly finished. 1-0 to Stirling. About 10 minutes later, Stirling was 2-0 up after a through ball found Bleron Mamudi who brushed aside the Glory defender and crossed the ball to Ben Campbell who made no mistake from close range. Glory almost got a goal back a short time later but goalkeeper Callum Atkins pulled off a fine save from close range.

The third Stirling Goal came just before the half hour mark – Bleron Mamudi half volleying a cross into the corner of the net following some good work down the left side by Ollie Watson and Joey Perkins.

Coach, Keegan Ashley asked his team before the game to come out firing and push for goals – he must have been pleased to go into the break with a 3 – 0 buffer.

The second half saw Perth Glory pressing hard to cut the deficit. Given they had to score at least 4 goals, it wasn’t unexpected. Glory created a few chances but on the whole the Stirling boys repelled most of the attacks. A red card handed to Adrian Koios for a tackle with about 20 minutes remaining gave the Glory some hope and they managed to pull a goal back a short time later but Stirling held further attacks at bay until the referee blew the final whistle and the celebrations began.

After the match, Coach Ashley congratulated his side for executing the game plan and following through on the pre-season plan to win the title. “I had absolute faith from the outset in this group to win this title. Of course we had games where we were sub-par and didn’t perform to our potential but winning a league is also about being able to pick yourself up after a set back and deliver the goods the following week. This side has done that and also played some wonderful football along the way and it’s a credit to them. They have now reaped the rewards they deserve for all the hard work put in – including it must be said the pre-season fitness work I put them through. Hopefully they’ll thank me now for that pain I made them endure” said Ashley.

Stirling Lions Soccer Club are seeking a suitably qualified Technical Director for the 2017 Season.

The desirable candidate will have a valid FFA B License, have sound knowledge and understanding of the FFA curriculum and have a desire to aid coach/player development.

Please send a cover letter with your coaching resume to Cara Bensky at carameya@hotmail.com by 5pm Monday 12 Septemeber 2016.

Armadale took advantage of their recent run of form to triumph 2-1 over Stirling Lions at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

The 2-1 victory ensures that Armadale are safe from possible relegation, moving four points clear of Subiaco with one game to go.

Armadale has now won four of their last six games – a fantastic achievement considering the team only took two wins from the first 15 rounds of the season.

On the other hand, Stirling’s loss means they are no longer in contention for a top four spot, now four points behind their closest competition.

The home team has suffered a terrible run of form in recent weeks, this latest loss meaning they have gone without a win in six games.

Armadale coach Paul Price was jubilant with what the win meant for the club’s season but considered it just a reward for what the team had managed to produce across the entire season.

“There’s been a lot of pressure on the club – obviously no one wants to be relegated but I think we’ve done it in style today, we deserved the win,” he said.

“We’ve had players signed to other clubs, injuries … it’s been difficult, but we’ve got one of the best defensive records of the last 12 games. No one’s come away and said they’ve played a lot better than us all season.”

Jesse Fuller gave Armadale the lead early after a goalmouth scramble allowed him enough space to shoot truly.

Stirling drew level in the opening minutes of the second half as a scrappy defence cover following a corner allowed Brodie Martin to walk the ball into the net.

While a drawn game looked on the cards as the minutes ticked by, a low-firing free kick by Ellis Healing sealed the win for Armadale in the 80th minute.

Price was particularly pleased with Healing’s goal, conceding it has been a frustrating year for the striker.

“He’s a very good player. He’s not scored this season from a free kick; I think he’s hit the post about 10 times, so it was nice to see that one going in,” Price said.

Stirling technical director Richard Changadzo dismissed any idea that his team would play out the season without their heads held high.

“You have to play 22 games of football in a season, and we’re always going to play to win – it’s a competition,” he said.

“Sometimes things don’t go your way on the pitch, and that’s just the game. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose.”

Stirling’s final game of the home and away season comes against Perth Glory, while Armadale will face Subiaco.

Stirling Lions 1 (Brodie Martin 56’)
Armadale 2 (Jesse Fuller 14’, Ellis Healing 81’)
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Macedonia Park
Kick off: 3pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant Referees: Daniel Cole, Andre Ferreira

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 3. Lukas DE LIMA, 5. Graham DORAN, 6. Brodie MARTIN (56’), 7. Milorad VUJACIC, 8. David SESAY, 11. David MICEVSKI, (12. Benjamin CAMPBELL), 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathiang MATHIANG, 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: 4. Dalitso MWALE, 13. Damien SIMIC, 14. William KESSEL, 20. Connor CAMPBELL
Yellow cards: 11. David MICEVSKI 85’, 17. Teeboy KAMARA 89’
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: 2. Alex CASTIELLO, 3. Jake SARDELIC, 4. Jesse FULLER (14’), 5. David ANNALL, 6. Michael DOMFEH, 7. Anthony SKORICH, (9. Darren FRANCIS), (10. Papa KPATAR), 11. Ellis HEALING (80’), 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 13. Jackson BEALEY, 15. Nathan SMITH
Substitutes not used: 8. Ismael BANGURA, 14. Dylan WHITE, 20. Alec RADONICH
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

A set-piece goal in each half gave 10-man Balcatta a 2-1 win over Stirling Lions in their PS4 National Premier Leagues WA clash at Grindleford Reserve.

The hosts went ahead inside seven minutes thanks to Conor Kavanagh’s header and were rarely troubled in a fairly dull first half.

Alan Carroll seemingly put the result out of Stirling’s reach with 15 minutes to play before the visitors came to life and pulled one back through Graham Doran.

And they nearly claimed a late equaliser after a couple of close calls but Balcatta cleared the danger to break a four-game losing run, much to the relief of Marc Anthony.

“It’s very pleasing. We’re used to going a goal behind and then fighting to get back into the game, so it was good settler to get that early goal,” he said.

“First half, I thought we were excellent and dominated the game but they were probably the better team in the second half.

“It was backs to the wall after they pulled one back, so I’m obviously proud of the boys for hanging in there at the end.”

Anthony also reflected on his maiden season at Balcatta and has seen enough this season to believe his team can push up the table in 2017.

“We had a good run earlier in the season and the boys got plaudits for that but unfortunately the wheels came off a little bit,” he said.

“That happens with a young side, though, and we probably need to add a little bit of experience.

“You need to be consistent in this league because three or four wins on the bounce can get you right up near the top four.

“It’s a learning curve for the boys and for me in my first year here. I’m reasonably happy but I always strive to do better and we want to believe that we’re a top four side.”

The hosts were excellent in a first period bereft of clear-cut chances and led when Hanafi Ghazali swung in a free kick for Kavanagh to head home.

Stirling came back in the second half, though, and should have levelled when David Micevski spooned Teeboy Kamara’s cutback over.

Kamara was a real threat in the second half and forced Kyle McDonald into a fine save before Micevski curled the follow-up narrowly wide.

But against the run of play Balcatta doubled their lead as Carroll got across his man and glanced into the far corner to all but seal the result.

Stirling responded again, though, and halved the deficit when Doran broke forward and side footed into an empty net after good work from Kamara.

Cameron Teece then received a second yellow card in an all-action last 10 minutes as Jonathan Corness shot wide for the hosts before Milorad Vujacic curled wide for Stirling.

McDonald made a brilliant save in stoppage time from Vujacic’s volley and Ghazali cleared another effort off the line as the 10 men of Balcatta held firm to win 2-1.

Balcatta 2 (Kavanagh 6mins, Carroll 76’)
Stirling Lions 1 (Doran 83’)
Saturday August 13, 2016
Grindleford Reserve
Local kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski

Balcatta: GK: Kyle MCDONALD, 2. Hanafi GHAZALI, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 4. Alexsander SULESKI, 5. Conor KAVANAGH, 6. Jonathan CORNESS, 10. Zefy NAZARY, 11. Feisal ZAW (9. Gomo DUKULY 83’), 17. Kieran COLWELL, 19. Alan CARROLL, 22. Scott NEWLAND (13. Cameron TEECE 63’)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Clint DAVIES, 12. Eamon MCNELIS, 18. Daniel MOSS.
Yellow Cards: Newland 50’, Suleski 62’, Carroll 71’, Teece 81’
Red Cards: Teece 83’

Stirling Lions: GK: John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 5. Graham DORAN, 6. Brodie MARTIN, 7. Milorad VUJACIC, 8. David SESAY, 9. Jason RUBIDGE (13. Breron MAMUDI 79’), 11. David MICEVSKI, 12. Benjamin CAMPBELL (3. Lukas DE LIMA 79’), 15. Shane CASSIDY, 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: RGK: Connor CAMPBELL, 14. William KESSEL, 16. Mathiang MATHIANG
Yellow Cards: Sesay 75’
Red Cards: Nil

Sorrento extended their winning streak with a dominant display to dump Stirling Lions 3-0 at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

With Ryan Pearson and Brad McDonald pulling the strings in midfield and Sean Canham in fine-form up-front, Sorrento never looked in any doubt of grabbing all three points and continuing where they left off last week following their surprise win at league-leaders Inglewood.

It took just ten minutes for Sorrento to open the scoring with Tim Hill capitalising on his side’s early pressure and pouncing on a loose ball to slot home from 6m.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 with Canham reacting quickest to a long ball over the Lion’s defence and keeping his composure to lob the stranded John Perkins in goal.

Sorrento were more organised and confident from front-to-back against a Stirling side which, without manager Rob Milevski in the dugout who is overseas for a number of weeks, looked bereft of composure and quality.

In the second half there was little change as the visitors turned the screw with the movement of substitute Billy Quinncroft giving Stirling even more problems and Hill firing just over from 30m.

Sorrento sealed a convincing win in the 78th minute when Quinncroft tucked home a Canham knock-down to take them within two points of the hosts, sitting seventh with a game in-hand.

Stand-in Stirling coach Dejan Vilic was honest after his side’s lost.

“I don’t want to say we’ve run out of steam, we’re the highest goalscoring team in the league, we’ve just got to get our heads together,” he said.

“Like I said to the boys, winning’s a habit but so is losing. We need to cut that out.”

His mood contrasted with his opposite number Jamie Harnwell who praised his side’s return to form.

“We’re starting to play to our potential and capabilities and are scoring goals when we’re in control of the game,” said the Sorrento coach, who has not given up hope of overtaking Stirling and securing a top-four finish.

“We’ve made it hard on ourselves but that’s what this club prides itself on,” he said. “We do things the hard way.”

Stirling Lions 0
Sorrento 3 (Hill 11min, Canham 13, Quinncroft 78)
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Tom Dowle
Assistant referees: Arvin Shan, Oliver Allen

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 3. Lukas DE LIMA (12. Benjamin CAMPBELL 56), 5. Graham DORAN, 6. Brodie MARTIN, 7. Milorad VUJACIC (c) 8. David SESAY, 11. David MICEVSKI, 14. Amerson GARLEY, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathiang MATHIANG (2. Michael PUGLIESE 45), 17. Teeboy KAMARA (13. William KESSEL 71)
Substitutes not used: 9. Jamie GIBSON, 20. Connor CAMPBELL,
Yellow cards: Garley
Red cards: nil

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 6. Dary PLATTEN (c) 7. Alex MORGAN (5. Billy QUINNCROFT 63), 8. Ryan PEARSON, 9. Sean CANHAM, 11. Tim HILL, 13. Steven MCDONALD, 16. Niccolo SABATINI, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA (27. Brody KENNEDY 68), 20. Brad MCDONALD, 25. Joshua TUCKER (18. Jordan BROWN 82)
Substitutes not used: 22. Daragh KAVANAGH 60. Sam HERBISON
Yellow cards: Sabatini, Pearson
Red cards: nil