Report by Louis Granich

Photo by Annie Green

Stirling Lions are almost certain to be relegated from the National Premier Leagues WA despite a hard-fought goalless draw with Floreat Athena.

Saturday's Round 21 stalemate at Macedonia Park against a team seconon the ladder would normally have been viewed as a good result.

But Armadale’s shock win away at Sorrento means Stirling are three points adrift of their nearest rivals and 14 goals worse off going into the final round of the season. And with the top three of State League Division One all NPL-compliant, there looks no way out for the Lions.

Floreat started the match with their usual brand of possession play and a run from Dean Evans caused early problems for the home side. Ryan Montgomery came racing out to deny Athena’s skipper, before Ludovic Boi’s speculative rebound effort lacked the accuracy to threaten Stirling’s goal.

Stirling weathered the early Floreat storm and began carving out a few chances of their own before the break. Zdenek Bezdek’s cross reached Danny Jones in the box and the winger controlled the ball well before seeing his shot deflected for a corner.

Floreat then came out of the half time break firing. Robert Petkov and Robbie Harding combined to force a fine save from Montgomery, who once again was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Evans' deep corner then found an unmarked Boi at the edge of the penalty area, but his well struck volley whistled over the crossbar.

Once news of Armadale’s lead flooded through Macedonia Park, the tension began to increase as Stirling knew they had to find a winner to have any real chance of surviving relegation.

As the tension rose, the best opportunity to score from open play fell to substitute Michael Wantee on the hour. Ajak Riak’s through ball, combined with a brilliantly timed run from Wantee, meant the striker was bearing down on Floreat’s goal. He elected to round Saldaris but his strike lacked power and was spectacularly cleared off the line by George Festa.

Athena answered with a chance of their own when Harding’s deep cross found Ryan Malton at the back post, but the left-back’s header was wide of the target.

Five minutes from time, Floreat’s pressure proved too much for Stirling as Robert Petkov worked his way into the 18-yard box and was fouled by Mile Petkovski. A penalty was awarded and Denis Galan stepped up to seal Stirling’s fate, but Ryan Montgomery’s save from the spot meant the Lions were thrown a lifeline.

Desperate times called for desperate measures as Montgomery came forward for two late Stirling corners. The final action of the game nearly brought Macedonia Park to its knees as Montgomery fired a well struck volley goalwards, but his fellow shot stopper Jason Saldaris saved well to deny any Stirling celebrations.

Now Stirling’s final league game against Balcatta will be merely a matter of pride, as Gwelup Croatia, Western Knights and Fremantle City battle it out to take their place in the top flight.

Meanwhile Floreat’s superior goal difference means they only need a draw against Rockingham City next week to secure second spot ahead of third-place Inglewood United.

Star player: Ryan Montgomery (Stirling Lions)

Macedonia Park
Saturday, August 24
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Lawson Rimmer, Toni Prentoski

Stirling Lions: 0
Floreat Athena: 0

Stirling Lions: GK 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 4 David MOLINARI, 5 Steven MCDONALD 6 Dhhors CHOL, 7. Yagoub MUSTAFA, (11. Michael WANTEE 58) 8. Dean CUMMINGS, 10. Danny JONES, 9. Zdenek BEZDEK (2. Mile PETKOVSKI 62), 12. Jackson MORGAN, 14. Andrew MARANTA (16. Nelson TSHONGO 86), 15. Ajak RIAK
Substitutes not used: 3. Renee KISESA, 20. Daniel MARQUES RGK
Yellow cards: Petkovski 85
Red cards: Nil 

Floreat Athena: GK Jason SALDARIS, 6 Jesse FULLER, 9 Robert PETKOV, 10 Nick AMBROGIO (19. Louis ROSSI 63), 11. Dennis GALAN, 13 George FESTA, 14 Ludovic BOI, 16 Ryan MALTON (5. Thomas JEBB 75), 17 Dean EVANS, 24 Sam THORNLEY, 32 Robert HARDING
Subs not used: 3. Tristan COLLI, 23. Jordan BARBAS RGK, 31 Jacob STUBBERFIELD
Yellow cards: Petkov 45
Red cards: Nil