Report by Navrin Secker

Armadale secured a convincing 3-0 win over bottom of the table Stirling Lions at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Chad Nilson starred for the hosts, scoring twice and winning a penalty which was tucked away by Michael Lawson.

The match burst into life as Ali Nazary’s low cross was coolly finished by Nilson at the back post in just the fifth minute.

Nazary nearly doubled the hosts’ advantage after some great dribbling and despite slipping as he struck the ball, Ryan Montgomery was forced to make a superb reflex save to deny the Armadale winger.

There were claims for a goal for Stirling when Michael Wantee’s superb header hit the crossbar and came back into play, the referee and his assistant deeming the ball did not cross the line. Wantee was left stricken on the pitch after being caught in the air by Armadale stopper Sam Hutchings, leaving the travelling supporters demanding the goal be given or a penalty awarded.

They got neither and Wantee's troubles deepened significantly when he was red-carded for kicking out at Armadale’s Josh Kuser who was down injured.

The second half was largely one-way traffic as the hosts’ capitalised on their numerical advantage.

Nilson doubled Army’s advantage, finishing into the bottom left corner from Sam Garces’ headed assist.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Lawson scored his side’s third, converting from the spot after Nielson was fouled by Chol while competing for a header.

Making just his second senior appearance, Nilson’s match ended prematurely after a succession of fouls by veteran Mile Petkovski forced the youngster off in the 80th minute, to the dismay of the Armadale fans.

Despite this, the vocal home supporters were delighted as their side ran out 3-0 winners.

Armadale will be hoping to secure their third consecutive win as they travel to SafeRad Stadium to face Rockingham City next week.

Meanwhile bottom of the table Stirling will be out to spring a major upset when they face table-toppers Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.

Star player: Chad Nilson (Armadale SC)

Armadale SC 3 (Nilson 5min 56, Lawson 67)
Stirling Lions 0

Saturday, June 8
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant referees: Alexander Wright, Troy Malatesta

Armadale SC: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS, 2. Josh KUSER (22. Ryan HASLETT 31mins), 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. Ali NAZARY, 6. Joel SANDERSON, 8. Michael LAWSON, 9. Uriel MACIAS, 10. Sam GARCES, 11. Chad NILSON (21. Abdul OSMAN 80), 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 13. Blake ADAMS
Unused substitutes: 14. Bradley GREIPL, 16. Jason PEPPIN, 30. Blake HANSHELL
Yellow cards: Nil
Ref cards: Nil

Stirling Lions: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 5. Steven McDONALD, 6. Dhhors CHOL, 8. Dean CUMMINGS, 9. Zdenek BEZDEK, 10. Danny JONES (17. Andrew MARANTA 83), 11. Michael WANTEE, 12. Griffin BECSI, 15. Michael GAMA (2. Mile PETKOVSKI 38), 16. Renee KIESA (4. Josh ANASMO 64), 18. Gino HAMPSHIRE
Unused substitutes: 3. Kadyn WATT, 20. Daniel MARQUES
Yellow cards: Kiesa 30, Bezdek 45
Red cards: Wantee 30