Report by Kalon Harrison

Coach Gary Williams felt his Stirling Lions side might have been suffering from a Cool Ridge Cup hangover as they came from behind to beat Subicao 3-1 in the National Premier Leagues WA at Macedonia Park.

Less than a week after a Cup semi-final win against ECU Joondalup, which earned the Lions a place in the final as well as the inaugural FFA Cup Round of 32, they took their time to get going before rallying for an important win.

Williams had particular praise for David Micevski, who scored a double to take his total for the season to nine goals in 11 games.

“He’s come back after being out for 12 months... for any midfield player that’s tremendous,” Williams said.

Micevski scored his first in the 35th minute, his scuffed volley under pressure catching out goalkeeper Henry Davies. Micevski’s second goal came in the 90th minute from the penalty spot.

Subiaco winger Josh Booysen had opened the scoring after a mazy run that left four Stirling defenders and goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski in his wake - with the help of some lucky deflections.

But after drawing level, the Lions edged in front in first-half injury time through Hayden Doyle, who lashed an out-swinging effort from 25m beyond Davies.

Subiaco coach Gerry McEwan said his side were forcing the opposition into playing poorly but were not getting the luck they needed.

“That’s what everybody says when they play us because we’re running them pretty close,” he said. “I don’t think we made good decisions today and that was the difference.

“We made mistakes that cost us the game.”

Neither side outshone the other in terms of quality or chances created but Stirling took their opportunities.

Ian McMurray had an attempt cleared off the line which would have put the game level at two all but again the away side did not capitalise on their chance.

The result puts Stirling into seventh with their fourth win of the season, while Subiaco remain on the foot of the table with just the one point earned – against Stirling in the season’s opening round.

Stirling Lions 3 (David MICEVSKI 35’, 90’, Hayden DOYLE 45+1)
Subiaco AFC 1 (Josh BOOYSEN 12’)
Saturday 7 June, 2014
Macedonia Park, Stirling
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Crowd approx: 200

Stirling: 1. Aleks VRTESKI, 2. Rikki SMITH (4. Ali GHOULAMI 55’), 8. Andy BROWN, 11. Dennis GALAN, 14. Clayton ARNEZ, 5. Dean EVANS, 10. David MICEVSKI, 13. Jack SALTER (7. Moses KALAU 69’), 9. Daniel MICEVSKI (3. Miki VUJACIC 78’), 6. Hayden DOYLE, 15. Howard NEIGHBOUR
Substitutes not used: 24. Connor CAMPBELL, 12. Robert PETROV
Yellow cards:  Smith 27’, Evans 62’
Red cards: Nil

Subiaco:  1. Henry DAVIES, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 16. George TCHAMI, 6. Brad McDONALD, 10. Guy McDONALD, 13. Jonas DORLING (15. Jack RYCROFT 66’), 8. Jordan RHODES, 5. Josh BOOYSEN (11. Matt AKEHURST 78’), 9. Ian McMURRAY, 7. Ger FITZGERALD (4. Phil O’CALLAGHAN 66’), 3. Rowdy YATES
Substitutes not used: 21. Sam STONE, 12. Mitch STEINBERG
Yellow cards: Brad McDonald 22’, Yates 65’
Red cards: Nil