Stirling hit for six in Balcatta rout
Report by Alasdair Beer
Photo: Football West News
Balcatta recorded a comprehensive 6-0 win over Stirling Lions in a hot-tempered affair at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday.
Goals from Gustavo Catarcione and Patrick Quinn in the 14th and 17th minutes set Ramon Falzon’s side on their way and they were well ahead for the rest of the day.
Stirling’s day got worse on the half hour mark when keeper Lance Alavakis was shown a straight red for collecting Catarcione in the stomach with an errant boot as he rushed out to clear.
Balcatta captain James Sammut then beat Lions reserve goalkeeper Adrian Vacca with a magnificent curling strike into the top right corner from the resultant free kick.
Stirling entered half time lamenting what might have been after starting the game better and forcing Balcatta’s Aleksandar Suleski to twice clear off his line in the opening minutes.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors started brightly in the second half.
Teeboy Kamara drove at the Balcatta defense from midfield before playing in Moses Kalau, whose low shot went wide.
Kalau then saw a low shot flash across the face of goal eight minutes after the break, before having the ball stolen off his toes by Balcatta keeper Clint Davies.
The missed opportunities cost Stirling, who conceded again through an unstoppable second from Quinn on 59 minutes.
Quinn showed great control in the box to hold the ball, before pivoting and firing a sublime strike over Vacca into the top left-hand corner.
Zelfy Nazary put the result well beyond doubt a minute later with a composed left-footed finish.
Frustrations then began to boil over as the referee cautioned both teams.
The ill-feeling persisted, and the visitors went down to nine men when captain Brodie Martin was shown red five minutes from the end.
Balcatta substitute Cameron Teece gave the hosts a sixth goal a minute after Martin’s dismissal, sliding in to put the ball into the bottom corner.
Tensions then boiled over a minute before the end as Balcatta won a penalty following an ugly challenge in the box.
A scuffle broke out, and Balcatta’s Jordan Colasante and Stirling’s Michael Pugliese were both sent off in the aftermath.
As the chaos subsided, Blamo Quaqua was unable to give the hosts a seventh, firing his penalty well over the bar before the final whistle sounded.
Balcatta coach Falzon was pleased with his side’s performance after an upset home loss to Armadale in the last round.
“We were fortunate they hit the post twice in the first five minutes, but after that we controlled the midfield and the pace of the game,” Falzon said.
Falzon said the departure of former captain Adam Tong to Bayswater City in the transfer period had affected his side’s concentration against Armadale.
“We knew before the Armadale game that Adam was leaving, and I think it affected the players,” he said.
Falzon said Balcatta, who entered the match in eighth place, would strive to build on their dominant performance.
“Three weeks ago we were four points off third place, so we need to build on the good win and climb back up the table.”
Balcatta 6 (Catarcione 14 mins, Quinn 17’, 59’, Sammut 30’, Nazary 60’ Teece 86’)
Stirling Lions 0
Grindleford Reserve
Saturday 27 June 2015
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistants: Nico Hoyle, Josh Mannella
Balcatta: GK Clint DAVIES, 3 Kieron STALLARD, 4 Alexsandar SULESKI, 6 Zelfy NAZARY, 7 James SAMMUT (C) (12 Cameron TEECE 81’), 11 Gustavo CATARCIONE (9 Hassan EL YASSIRI 72’), 14 Steve SOKOL, 17 Kieran COLWELL (8 Simon LEDUN 66’), 20 Patrick QUINN, 22 Jordan COLASANTE, 50 Blamo QUAQUA
Substitutes not used: 13 Patrick SARA, 21 Daniel PASSARELLI
Red cards: Colasante 90’
Stirling Lions: GK Lance ALAVAKIS, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 4 Billy QUINNCROFT, 5 Anthony BAFOBUSHA, 6 Brodie MARTIN (C), 7 Teeboy KAMARA (3 Alen PATAROV 73’), 8 Tim HILL, 10 Daniel MICEVSKI, 11 Moses KALAU (9 Million BUTSHIIRE 65’), 13 Boas MTWALE (20 Adrian VACCA 29’), 14 Lawrence SHURUMA
Substitutes not used: 12 Robert MARIANO, 15 Vladimir NAUMOVSKI
Red cards: Alavakis 29’, Martin 85’, Pugliese 89’
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.