Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Jonny Warrington

Stirling Lions moved up to fourth place on the PS4 National Premier League WA table after a comfortable 3-0 win against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve.  

Striker Lawrence Shuruma struck either side of Robert Petkov’s goal to give Rob Milevski’s side a win, which leaves Armadale still looking for their first point this campaign.

Milevski said their pace caused the home side problems, but thought they were poor early and were lucky not to concede.

“We started a little shaky and we had to rely on a great save from Connor (Campbell),” he said.

“But it’s never an easy place to come to, so the two goals in the first half calmed us down and we could have scored a few more.

“We have got the pace down the flanks, with Lawrence (Shuruma), Teeboy (Kamara), Dan Micevski and Moses (Kalau). It’s a real strength for us and we hurt them today, but the final ball was missing at times.”

Lions skipper Miki Vujacic returned to the side after missing the last two games, and said it was important to get the win and a bonus to keep a clean sheet.

“It’s good to be back, and the three points were vital for us today,” he said.

 “They were desperate to get the result, and came out of the blocks early, but we held on and took our chances. It’s a good three points for us today.”

Armadale, who had Coach Peter Lord in the starting line-up, started well and should have taken the lead after only three minutes.  

A long ball over the top sent Nick Crerand clear, but he snatched at his shot and it went wide of the target.

The home side was well on top and moments later Faustino Machochi’s corner fell to Reds skipper Reece Davies, but Lions keeper Connor Campbell superbly saved his shot from six metres. 

It wasn’t the start the Lions were looking for, but that all changed on 12 minutes when they hit the front.  

Shuruma made space down the right, cutting into the penalty area with ease, and finishing clinically past Dylan Wilson. 

The goal settled the Lions and they were handed a second on the half hour.

There was little danger in the middle of the park, but a wayward pass went straight to Petkov, and he ran unchallenged to fire home, much to the displeasure of the Armadale faithful.

After the break the home side continued to struggle in the final third and the Lions had the chance to make it 3-0 when Sam Loveless brought down Petkov on 56 minutes. But Wilson guessed the right way to save Steve Purton’s penalty.

They did get a third three minutes later though, as Shuruma raced clear of his marker to slide the ball low past Wilson. 

To Armadale’s credit they still pressed forward as Campbell superbly saved a snap shot from Danny Hodgson.

Former Armadale defender Billy Quinncroft came on as a late substitute for the Lions and was denied by a superb reaction save from Wilson.

The woodwork came to the Lions rescue late-on as Davies’ long-range shot smacked the crossbar and went away to safety, but it was the Lions who won to keep in touch with the leaders. 

Armadale 0
Stirling Lions 3 (Shuruma 12mins, 61’, Petkov 32’)
Saturday May 2, 2015
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Tim Mihevc
Assistants: Alex Best and Rory Jackson

Armadale: GK Dylan WILSON, 3 Danny HODGSON, 5 Sam LOVELESS (17 Jacob AQUINO 86’), 7 Faustino MACHOCHI, 8 Caleb DIXON, 10 Nick CRERAND (16 Caleb AQUINO 70’), 11 Jackson BEALEY, 13 Peter LORD, 14 Mitch CASTRILLI, 18 Dylan EASTOUGH (9 Darren FRANCIS 75’), 21 Reece DAVIES 
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: RGK Jordan HOWELL, 6 Jake SARDELIC
Yellow Cards: Castrilli 42’, Machochi 51’, Loveless 56’

Stirling Lions: GK Connor CAMPBELL, 3 Steve PURTON, 5 Robert PETKOV, 6 Brodie MARTIN, 7 Miki VUJACIC, 8 Tim HILL, 9 Teeboy KAMARA (9 Brian WOODALL 63’), 10 Daniel MICEVSKI (11 Moses KALAU 58’), 12 Anthony BAFOBUSHA, 14 Lawrence SHURUMA (4 Billy QUINNCROFT 77’), 15 Nathan BOWDEN-HASSE
Subs not used: RGK Luke RADONICH, 2 Boas MTWALE
Yellow Cards: Bafobusha 69’