Report by Colin Outhwaite

Armadale coach Paul Price said pride and positions were the motivation to beat Stirling Lions 4-1 at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

Anthony Skorich scored first for the visitors, while Lawrence Shuruma equalised in the second half before Faustino Machochi, Darren Francis and a second from Skorich matched their first round three-goal defeat on home turf.

While relegation is no longer a threat due to no top-four State League teams being able to meet the criteria of promotion, Price said they are still extremely motivated.

“No one wants to finish bottom of the table,” he said.

“We’re going to be recruiting next year so each player has to play for their position.

“You could argue that no one has anything to play for now Bayswater have run away with it, but the point is you play for your pride and your position.”

Within the first minute Ashfield signing and Guam international Shane Malcolm was through on goal for the home side but put his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Armadale responded clinically with Skorich scoring a diving header from Jesse Fuller's cross.

Skorich had a number of opportunities to score his second, first being unable to direct keeper Lance Alavakis’ fumble into an open net in the 31st minute , then being denied by a brilliant save on the cusp of halftime.

Stirling looked threatening on the counter-attack towards the end of the first half but both Daniel Micevski and Malcolm could not capitalise on promising goal scoring opportunities.

Shuruma managed to bring the scores level in the 51st minute after Daniel Micevski steamed into the box and gifted him an easy tap in.

But the level scores did not last long as Machochi squeezed a shot behind keeper Lance Alavakis from a tight angle in the 62nd minute.

After going behind a second time the Lions were in disarray and Francis smashed a half-volley in from substitute Sam Khankilily's cross in the 81st minute to crush their spirits.

Khankilily then rattled the woodwork before Skorich finally scored his second to seal the game in injury time and give them a well-earned third victory of the season.

Coach Rob Milevski was not at all happy with the overall performance of his squad.

“You can’t underestimate any team in this league, we just didn’t turn up,” he said.

“We were let down up-front, we squandered some golden opportunities. But our main concern is our defense – we can’t keep letting in four goals every week.”

Stirling Lions 1 (Shuruma 51 MIN)
Armadale 4 (Skorich 3, 90+2, Machochi 62, Francis 80’
Saturday 25 July
Macedonia Park
Local Kick-off: 3.00pm

Stirling Lions: 1. Lance ALAVAKIS (gk), 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 3. Steve PURTON (14. Kyran NUNES 52’), 6. Brodie MARTIN, 7. Miki VUJACIC (c) (4. Billy QUINNCROFT 85’), 8. Tim HILL, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. Shane Malcolm (5. Anthony BAFOBUSHA 72’), 13. Lawrence SHURUMA 15. Robert PETKOV, 18. Nathan BOWDEN-HASSE
Substitutes not used: 20. Joel DRISCOLL (rgk), 16. Alen PATAROV
Yellow Cards: Bowden-Hasse 90+1
Red Cards: Nil

Armadale: 20. Dylan WILSON (gk), 2. Nick CRERAND, 3. Faustino MACHOCHI, 5. Sam LOVELESS, 6. Jake SARDELIC, 7. Anthony SKORICH 8. Jesse FULLER, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY (12. Sam KHANKALILI 70’), 11. Jackson BEALEY, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI (c)
Substitutes not used: 1. Luke RADONICH (rgk), 4. SHAYDON PASSALACQUA, 17. Kade McNAMARA, 18. Shaun MORRISON
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil