Report by Saxon Durrant

Perth Glory and Stirling Lions both claimed a point in an eventful scoreless draw at Ashfield Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides will both regret chances missed after a frantic last 20 minutes which saw many opportunities go agonisingly close to finding the back of the net.

Both sides were trying to build momentum following wins last round and a quiet but technical opening half saw both teams try to wrestle control and possession of the match.

Glory’s excellent ball control and intensity to win the ball back shone, as they controlled the majority of possession throughout the first half, restricting the Lions to counter attacking opportunities.

A header which was cleared off the line by Stirling in the ninth minute was the major flashpoint of a half with little chances, whereby the end Stirling supporters were growing impatient and angry at their team’s lack of control under possession.

In a half dominated by defence, Perth Glory’s 14-year-old right back Riley Warland and centre back Luca Bodnar impressed with their exceptional defensive work and solid attacking fluency.

A concerned Stirling Lions crowd saw themselves slightly relieved after the break, when the Lions began to break out of their entrenched first half position and threaten Jordan Thurtell in the Glory goal.

The first big chance of the second half came to Perth Glory when substitute Bayley Montgomery-Brown nearly poked the ball home albeit from an exceptional intervention from Stirling’s defence.

From there the game erupted into an entertaining end to end display, with Perth having two chances fantastically blocked and cleared off the line.

Up the other end a fantastic volley inside the area by Moses Kalau was hit straight into a Glory defender.

With the introduction of David Micevski in the 81st minute the tide swung towards Stirling, with Glory keeper Jordan Thurtell called into action multiple times in the last 10 minutes.

The young keeper did well to make a fantastic smother and went even better moments later when he pulled off a double save minutes before the final whistle.

Stirling head coach Rob Milevski said his team should have nicked the three points after their late chances but admitted a draw was a fair result.

“They had a lot of possession early on and they were probably better in the first half,” Milveski said.

“In the second half with the number of chances we had, we probably deserved the three points but you’ve got to finish and if you don’t take your chances that’s what happens.”

Perth Glory head coach John Gibson heaped praise on his players for their incredible defensive display, which lead them to their first clean sheet of the season.

“The physicality and the shift that the boys are putting in is quite incredible,” Gibson said.

“First clean sheet for the season so we’re pretty stoked with that but also it’s probably one that got away.”

Glory face unbeaten Sorrento at home next week while Stirling face struggling Armadale at Macedonia Park.

Perth Glory 0
Stirling Lions 0
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Ashfield Arena
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant Referees: Walter Ciotti, Adrien Liechti

Perth Glory: 1. Jordan Thurtell, 2. Riley Warland, 3. Luca Bodnar, 4. Jack Iredale, 5. Ollie Annis (12. Cam Murray 45), 6. Jack Leech, 7. Michael McDougall, 8. Sam Riak (13. Jamal Reiners 64), 10. Daniel Stynes, 11. Kosta Petratos, 15. Joseph Knowles (9. Bayley Montgomery-Brown 46)
Substitutes not used: 20. Stef King, 16. Joseph Marino
Yellow Cards: Stynes 37min, McDougall 81
Red Cards: nil

Stirling Lions: 1. John Perkins, 2. Michael Pugliese, 4. Blamo Qua Qua, 6. Dejan Spaseski, 7. Milorad Vujacic (17. Darren O Riordan 78) 10. Daniel Micevski, 12. Jason Rubidge (8. Steve Sokol 68) 14. Lukas De Lima (11. David Micevski 81), 15. Shane Cassidy, 16. Mathaing Mathiang, 18. Moses Kalau
Substitutes not used: 3. Alex Suleski, 20. Lance Alavakis
Yellow Cards: O Riordan 90+1min
Red Cards: nil