Report by Aisling Lawless

 

Brothers Daniel and David Micevski lead Stirling Lions to their first win of the season, beating Mandurah City 3-2 at home in the PS4 National Premier Leagues on Saturday.

Stirling went three ahead in the second half with Daniel Micevski scoring twice while David Micevski converted a penalty in between.

But Mandurah fought back in the last ten minutes and managed to close the gap with goals from Joseph O’Brien and Jordan Rhodes.

Stirling’s scheduled match against ECU Joondalup last week was postponed due to heat conditions, but a much-needed round four win was enhanced for Daniel Micevski by scoring alongside his brother.               

“We were all disappointed not to play last week as we were keen to get a positive result, but having a week off may have put a fire in our belly,” he said.

"Mandurah have some really experienced players and we knew it would be a challenging game, but I think we deserved the end result.”

Craig Tone came close for Mandurah four minutes in, latching on a pass from the left with a diving header, but narrowly missed the net.

Responding a few minutes later Moses Kalau cut the ball back to David Micevski in the box, whose hard strike slid past the left post.

All the action occurred in the final half hour and Daniel Micevski broke the deadlock with a cracker shot in the 62^nd minute, after picking up the ball on the left wing.

The goal livened up the home side and five minutes later David Micevski won a foul in the penalty box, his conversion putting the Lions two ahead.

Despite having players down from both sides Daniel Micevski tripled the lead in the 77^th minute after Alex Taneski made a gallant run down the right wing and crossed the ball for him to knock home.

Mandurah coach Doug Hesketh felt play should have been stopped in the lead up to the goal due to an injury in the lead up.

The visitors fought back and in the 82^nd minute O’Brien’s perfectly timed run pit him against keeper John Perkins, his second attempt at goal finding the net.

Two minutes into extra time Rhodes caught the defenders out, picking up the ball in the box and slotting it past the keeper, but it was too late to take any points.

There were a few squad changes for Mandurah, which Hesketh said were the result of impressive performances from the reserves.

“We’re making changes on the run but I’m not unhappy with the team,” he said.

“This was a game I would have liked to have gotten something out of and my only request to them is to give me a positive attitude.

“I can’t fault them for effort - I think with another ten minutes we would have equalised.”

 

Stirling Lions 3 (Daniel Micevski 62min, 67’, David Micevski pen 77)

Mandurah City 2 (Joseph O’Brien 82min, Jordan Rhodes 90 + 2)

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Macedonia Park, Balcatta

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Michal Jasinski

Assistant Referees: Stuart Muldoon, Walter Ciotti

4^th Official: Michael Divers

 

Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE,4. Blamo QUA QUA, 6. Dejan SPASESKI, 7. Milorad VUJACIC (c) (Alex SULESKI 87), 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathaing  MATHIANG, 17. Moses KALAU (19. William PENDER 67), 18. Hasani SINCLAIR (9. Alex TANEVSKI 59)

Substitutes not used: 14. Lukas DE LIMA, 20. Josiah GODFREY (RGK)

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil.

 

Mandurah City: GK Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Daniel DYSON, 3. Jeffrey BRIGHT, 4. Matthew STARES, 5. Oliver MCGEE (6. Mitchell FIRTH, 82), 7. Jack EADES, 8. Andrew BROWN (c),9. Craig TONE (16. Joseph O’BRIEN 67), 10. Sean TROUP, 11. Ryan FRANCIS, 14. Mark MCLAUGHLIN (12. Jordan RHODES 67)

Substitutes not used:  RGK Brad EIFFE, 14. Slade RULE

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil