Report by Navrin Secker

Bottom of the table Stirling Lions secured a deserved 3-2 victory over Sorrento at Macedonia Park on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Jones and Steven McDonald, who left the Gulls for Sorrento in the recent transfer window, both found the back of the net for to rub salt in the wounds for Jamie Harnwell's side.

Zdenek Bezdek was the Lions’ other scorer, while Jordan Roberts’ second half effort and an unfortunate Mile Petkovski own goal gave the away fans something to cheer about.

Stirling started the match well, with early attempts by Bezdek and Jackson Morgan going just wide of the target.

Sorrento had an early setback when captain Reece Vittiglia had to be substituted just 12 minutes in, forcing an early reshuffle.

A corner for Stirling soon followed and Jones opened the scoring with a superb curling volley. David Stokoe cleared the immediate danger for Sorrento, but Jones was lurking on the edge of the box and his first-time effort gave goalkeeper James Morgan no chance.

Sorrento were upset when they were given a free-kick even though Alex Morgan was through on goal, while at the other end Gulls keeper James Morgan's diving save denied Yacoub Mustafa.

Mustafa was a real threat for Stirling. He was willing to drop deeper to get on the ball, while also using his pace and skill to cause problems for the Sorrento defence.

Stirling’s dominance continued into the second half and Bezdek doubled the hosts' advantage with a powerful strike into the bottom left-hand corner.

Petkovski threw Sorrento a lifeline soon after. First he gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box, and then deflected the set-piece past Ryan Montgomery to make it 2-1.

The Lions’ two-goal advantage was restored just seconds later, though, when McDonald’s thumping header flew in to make it 3-1.

Sorrento piled on the pressure and Roberts’ goal, seemingly out of nothing with nine minutes remaining, ensured a nailbiting conclusion.

Substitute Daniel Pearce had a glorious chance to equalise from close range, but the young Sorrento winger failed to hit the target as Stirling claimed three valuable points in their bid to climb the table.

Star player: Yacoub Mustafa (Stirling Lions)

Stirling Lions 3 (Jones 14min, Bezdek 64, McDonald 72)
Sorrento: 2 (Petkovski og 71, Roberts 81)
Macedonia Park
Saturday, June 29
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Adam Hicks, Frank Laval

Stirling Lions: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2. Mile PETKOVSKI, 3. Darren O’RIORDAN, 4. David MOLINARI (16. Renee KIESA 85), 5. Steven McDONALD, 6. Andrew MARANTA (18. Dhhors CHOL 83), 8. Dean CUMMINGS, 9. Zdenek BEZDEK, 10. Danny JONES, 11. Yacoub MUSTAFA (15. Michael GAMA 90), 12. Jackson MORGAN
Unused substitutes: 19. Josh ANASMO, 20. Daniel MARQUES
Yellow cards: McDonald 28
Red cards: Nil

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 2. David STOKOE, 4. Shaun KILKENNY, 5. Scott ROBERTSON (16. Daniel PEARCE 77), 7. Alex MORGAN, 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 11. Timothy HILL (32. Tristan STEVENS 64), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA (20. Jaxon TEMATA 12), 18. Jordan BROWN, 19. Jack SALTER, 23. Cameron TEECE
Unused substitutes: 21. Daniel HEPSWORTH, 60. Matthew GIUDICATTI
Yellow cards: Teece 33
Red cards: Nil