Report by Tommy Doleman

Moses Kalau scored the only goal as a resilient Stirling Lions defended staunchly to defeat league leaders Floreat Athena 1-0.

Kalau struck on 25 minutes when he lashed home from the edge of the area as the hosts capitalised on their best period of the game.

Floreat threw everything at Stirling in search of an equaliser only to be denied by the woodwork from an in-form John Perkins.

“We’re very happy with the result as we’ve been in a similar position the last couple of weeks and couldn’t see out the game,” said Stirling Lions coach Rob Milevski.

“We had to defend well in the second half because they certainly came at us. It’s something we addressed during the week, so it was extremely important to see out the 90 minutes.

“It’s a massive win to defeat the league leaders. We want to be in the top four by the end of the season and this game was crucial for us to win today.”

Milevski also praised new signings Cameron Teece and David Molinari as well as his match winner in Kalau.

“He (Kalau) is a special player with a great burst of pace and you’d back him to finish most times when he gets onto a through ball,” he said.

“There’s always some quality balls put into the box and he is a really big players for us.”

League leaders Floreat started with terrific intent as Zelfy Nazary hit the side netting and Dean Evans lifted a chance over the bar.

But Stirling eventually settled and had a period midway through the half, as Daniel Micevski found space down the right and forced Jason Saldaris with a good block.

From the resulting corner the hosts went short and Kalau had time and space to strike fiercely on his left foot from range.

They held firm until half-time but Floreat came out with a head of steam after the break and should have leveled when Nazary again hit the side netting.

Chris Saldaris then had a header cleared off the line by Shane Cassidy before Phil Arnold glanced inches wide from the subsequent ball into the area.

Perkins denied Arnold moments later with a tremendous save when the midfielder’s pile driver looked destined to find the top corner.

The cross-bar denied the visitors as Clayton Arnez’s ball into the area deceived everyone and bounced back off the frame of the goal.

Both sides had their chances late but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Stirling Lions 1 (Kalau 25min)
Floreat Athena 0
Saturday May 27, 2017
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
 
Stirling Lions: GK John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 5. David MOLINARI (7. Milorad VUJACIC 69’), 6. Dejan SPASESKI, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 14. Lukas DE LIMA, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathiang MATHIANG, 17 Darren O RIORDAN, 18. Moses KALAU (9. Alex TANEVSKI 86’), 19. Cameron TEECE (12. Jason RUBIDGE 37’).
Substitutes not used: RGK Lance ALAVAKIS, 13. William KESSEL
Yellow Cards: Cassidy 41, Kalau 54
Red Cards: nil

Floreat Athena: GK: Jason SALDARIS, 2. Shaun TIMMINS, 3. Clayton ARNEZ, 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10. Kris GATE, 12. Jackson MORGAN (14. Ludovic BOI 78’), 13.Zelfy NAZARY (33. Mark PRITCHARD 63’), 15. Chris SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS, 18. Phil ARNOLD (4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 68’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 20. Joe TWEATS.
Yellow Cards: Nazary 28 Morgan 56, Saldaris 90+
Red Cards: nil