Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Photos: Daniel Lim

Two sublime free kicks from the Stirling’s David Micevski proved to be the difference in a controversial 3-2 win over Floreat Athena in last night’s QBE Night Series semi-final at Dorrien Gardens.

The Lions will take on Bayswater City, who beat Armadale 4-3 in the other semi-final, in the Night Series final at nib Stadium on Saturday, March 12.

Stirling were trailing 2-0 to the nine men of Athena when Micevski stuck his first around the Floreat wall beyond the reach of substitute goalkeeper Pasquale Gioffre to swing the momentum in Stirling’s favour.

Shane Cassidy bundled home the equaliser after Gioffre half cleared a goal-bound header from a corner before Micevski delicately curled his second free kick around the Floreat wall to send the Lions into next week’s final at nib stadium.

Micevski had returned to Stirling after a season at Inglewood United and the former Perth Glory man was pleased to get a chance to lift his first bit of silverware with the club he first played for as a junior.

Prior to the goals, Stirling had dominated possession with Floreat content to keep shape and exploit Stirling on the counter attack. The game plan was working for Floreat when Jonathan Stynes calmly tucked away a penalty after Cassidy was adjudged to have blocked a goal bound shot with his hand.

Floreat were then reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Jason Saldaris was given his marching orders when he clashed with Robert Petkov outside the penalty area as the striker appeared to be through on goal.

Despite being down to 10 men, Floreat looked devastating on the counter attack with Phillip Arnold missing a gilt-edged chance before last season’s Gold medal winner Ludovic Boi swivelled past Graham Doran and slotted home with aplomb.

The game then turned on its head in a moment of controversy when referee Tom Glavovic reduced Floreat to nine men. Arnold, who had just been booked moments earlier, was given his second yellow card for what Glavovic later confirmed was for simulation.

Floreat coach Glen Grostate was bitterly disappointed with the second send-off.

“It’s the second red (card) that killed us,” Grostate said. “We could have won with 10 men. It’s disappointing and I feel sorry for the boys the most. The players have missed a chance to play at nib.

“The way I look at it, the work rate that we put in and the game plan worked. We were 2-0 up and even when we lost one (player) I still felt that we were comfortable.”

His counterpart Rob Milevski was pleased for his players and praised them for remaining patient against a well-organised Floreat side.

“I think (we) thoroughly deserved it,” he said.

“A few things changed during the course of the game that didn’t go Floreat’s way but the guys have worked hard during the whole campaign and deserve a spot in the Grand Final.”

Stirling Lions 3 (Micevski 46min, 71, Cassidy 62)
Floreat Athena 2 (Stynes 20min, Boi 38)
Ground: Dorrien Gardens
Crowd: Approx 350
Kick-off: 6pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant Referees: Alvin Shan, Julian Serra
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 4. Blamo QUAQUA, 6. Brodie MARTIN (c), 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 14. David MURPHY, 5. Graham DORAN, 2. Michael PUGLIESE (8. David SESAY 62), 9. Robert PETKOV (12. Jason RUBIDGE 91), 15. Shane CASSIDY, 17. Teeboy KAMARA
Substitutes not used: 20. Lance ALVAKIS (RGK), 13. Faustin MACHOCHI, 16. Abdul SESAY,
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil

Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS, 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO (13. Aaron DEKABEY 89), 2. Blair GOVAN, 5. Bobby WILSON (c) (23. Pasquale GIOFFRE (RGK) 34), 15. Chris SALDARIS, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 12. Declan HARGREAVES, 11. Dennis GALAN (16. Robert GASPAR 73), 8. Jonathan STYNES, 14. Ludovic BOI, 18. Phillip ARNOLD,
Substitutes not used: 3. Jarrod MCNALLY, 19. Matthew IZZO,
Yellow cards: Arnold 40, 41
Red cards: J. Saldaris 34, Arnold 41