Report by Josh Chiat

Perth Soccer Club beat Stirling Lions 1-0 at Macedonia Park in a fixture dedicated to the former West Ham striker Dylan Tombides.

The match was part of the DT38 foundation's Australian launch this week with Perth-born Tombides playing as junior at both clubs. 

The result meant the visitors maintained their hopes of finishing second as both coaches paid tribute to Tombides.

“The only good thing that has come out of the tragic loss of young Dylan is the start of the foundation, which has brought awareness to youth testicular cancer,” said Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis.

“This [game] is special for a lot of people from both clubs and to come out on top was important."

“It was definitely a special occasion,” added Lions coach Rob Milevski.

A round of applause from the stands in the 38^th minute was the highlight of the occasion, but the telling moment of the match came within 60 seconds.

A mix-up between Lions defender’s Michael Pugliese and Liam Wood from Clark Keltie’s through ball leaving Perth's Reece Vittiglia free to score from 6m out.

Stirling struggled to put passes together in the first half and were lucky not to be further behind as Andreas Theodosiades hit the post, before Clark Keltie had his volley cleared off the line.

Stirling's stagnant first half gave way to counter-attacking brilliance after half time.

Perth goalkeeper Francis Soale and the post stood between the home side and an equaliser when Daniel Micevski broke away on 52 minutes.

Soale came off his line sharply to deny Teeboy Kamara moments later as the pressure rose from the hosts.

Perth had more possession but lacked composure in front of goal. Keltie missed another good opportunity before Nick Ambrogio hit the woodwork as Perth pressed for a second.

Stirling almost levelled from a corner deep into injury time, but Soale was again on hand to save Micevski's well-struck volley.

Despite the win, Nicolaidis lamented poor finishing that almost let Stirling back in the game.

“It felt like our guys were still in first gear,” he said.

“We scored early and you think it's going to be a good day out but we squandered a lot of chances, and, in fairness to Stirling, on a better day they could have hit the back of the net.”

Stirling Lions 0
Perth SC 1 (Vittiglia 1min)
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant referees: Stuart Muldoon, Brian McDonald

Stirling Lions: 1. Joel DRISCOLL, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 3. Steve PURTON, 5. Liam WOOD, 6. Brodie MARTIN, 7. Milorad VUJACIC (c), 8. Tim HILL, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 12. Lawrence SHURUMA (11. Boas MTWALE 78'), 15. Robert PETKOV (16. Alen PATAROV 46'), 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: 20. Lance ALAVAKIS, 13. Robert MARIANO, 4. Billy QUINNCROFT
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Joshua WILKINS, 2. David CYRUS, 4. James MAROCCHI, 5. Dean EVANS, 6. Clark KELTIE (c), 12. Marco SANTALUCIA (21. Matt MILENKOVIC 57'), 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Mark PRITCHARD (16. Nicholas AMBROGIO 20'), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA (18. Jordan DE LEO 70'), 19. Andrew THEODOSIADES
Substitutes not used: 23. Dom SALVODELLI, 7. Julian MADASCHI
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil