Report by Edward Nixon

ECU Joondalup continued their unbeaten start to the NPL WA season with a 3-0 home win over Stirling Lions on Saturday.

Two penalties from Daryl Nicol and a Ross Millard goal made it three wins and three draws for the Jacks, who are the only side still to lose in the league.

“It was a brilliant three points and another clean sheet,” ECU head coach Dale McCulloch said.

In a frantic start, Stirling forward Robert Petrov saw a shot smartly saved by keeper Johnny Perkins, before ECU’s Lucas De Lima blazed over from close range.

The hosts, looking to build on last week’s impressive 2-1 away win at Perth Glory, almost got their noses in front when striker Gordon Smith's header from Nicol's free-kick crashed against the post. 

But moments later ECU were dealt an injury blow when Smith limped off.

However ECU were rewarded just after the half-hour mark when Nicol earned a penalty after he pounced on a sloppy back-pass before being clattered into by Lions goalkeeper Lance Alavakis.

Alavakis was shown a yellow card before Nicol dispatched the spot-kick.

“The game was won and lost with the amount of free-kicks and penalties we conceded,” Stirling assistant coach Willy Kelly said.

Straight from the kick-off Stirling had a penalty shout of their own turned down by referee Adam Fielding, who decided Perkins hadn't fouled Alex Tanevski after the winger got on the end of David Molinari’s ball into the box.

The Jacks kept up the pressure and grabbed a second goal before the break as Ross Millard’s intended cross caught Alavakis napping to find the top corner.

The second half was more of a tussle, as both sides battled for possession in midfield.

The Lions were restricted to shots from distance but did have the chance to peg a goal back after forward Steve Sokol found space following some clever build-up play with Molinari but shot wide.

With Stirling throwing bodies forward in the final minute, ECU attacked on the break and Nicol won his second penalty of the afternoon after a tricky run into the box.

The Scottish winger duly put it away to secure ECU’s first home win of the season.

“We’ve had a couple of draws here so really happy to get a win,” McCulloch said as his side moved to fifth on the ladder.

ECU now turn their attention to Inglewood United, while Stirling host Floreat Athena in Round Seven.

ECU Joondalup 3 (Nicol 32min pen, 90pen, Millard 41)
Stirling Lions 0
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Saturday, 31 March 2018
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant referees: Stuart Muldoon, Daniel Cole

ECU Joondalup: 1. Johnny PERKINS (20. Jack NUNN 88), 3. Ross MILLARD (4. Steven McGARRY 90), 5. Andy TONG, 6. Lukas DE LIMA, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Darryl NICOL (c), 10. Gordon SMITH (7. Cameron MURRAY 27), 11, Andy HIGGINS, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Declan HUGHES, 19. Cian HIRRELL
Substitutes not used: 12. Ryan MCDARBY, 17. Tom HOUGH
Yellow cards: Hirrell (22), Whitmore (36), Hughes (56), Murray (66)
Red cards: Nil

Stirling Lions: 1. Lance ALAVAKIS, 2. David MOLINARI, 4. Alex Suleski, 6. Dhhors CHOL, 7. Dean CUMMINGS (c), 8. Dejan SPASESKI, 9. Robert PETKOV, 10. David MICEVSKI, 11. Alex TANEVSKI, 15. Nathan DE ABREAU, 17. Steve SOKOL
Substitutes not used: 12. Matthew CHERRIE, 13. Joey PERKINS, 16. Adrian KOLOS, 19. Zane CASELLA
Yellow cards: Petrov (6)
Red cards: Nil