Report by Tommy Doleman

 

Stirling Lions scored a goal in each half to stretch their unbeaten run to five games and defeat an improved Cockburn City 2-0 at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

Milorad Vujacic opened the scoring midway through the first period with a tidy finish before Steve Sokol wrapped things up in second half stoppage time.

Cockburn pressed hard for a leveler after the break, but Stirling were impressively resolute in keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet which pleased coach Rob Milevski.

“It was another disciplined team performance from the boys,” he said.

“We focused on the defensive side after our poor start and the shape of our back four.

“We were probably lucky not to concede as they had a really good period on us, but we managed to catch them on the counter at the end and I’m very proud of the boys.”

Milevski is also satisfied with the progress his team are making in recent weeks and still believes there is room for improvement.

“It’s good to get the win but it’s a longer season this time and we just want to keep the consistency and momentum going,” he said.

“The boys are confident and we have a real belief in this group.

“We probably need to find a little more polish in the final third even though it’s a good sign we’re creating plenty of chances.”

Cockburn started well in an even first half but couldn’t capitalise on good deliveries from Harry O’Brien and Cameron Edwards.

At the other end, Moses Kalau crossed for Daniel Micevski to shoot into his opposite number, before forcing Luke Radonich into a near post block with a shot of his own.

It was Stirling who struck first on 22 minutes when Vujacic found a pocket of space in the area and showed nice feet before firing past Radonich.

The visitors nearly equalised straight away as John Perkins smothered at the feet of Kenel Mouithys before Shane Cassidy cleared Reuben Tristao’s goalbound follow-up.

Kalau continued to cause problems down the flank for the visitors with another surge and drive at Radonich with half time looming.

He was close to doubling the tally after the break when Micevski struck at goal and Radonich’s save narrowly evaded the winger.

Micevski was denied by Radonich again soon after and Mathaing nearly inadvertently found the elusive second goal himself, when his cross bounced off the bar as Stirling looked to be cruising to three points.

Cockburn rallied late as Daniel Robinson blasted a shot through a sea of bodies, which was scrambled away, before O’Brien headed the subsequent cross at Perkins.

The pair again had half chances in the dying stages as Stirling defended desperately, and it proved to be enough as the hosts sealed the points in stoppage time through Sokol.

The substitute intercepted a stray back pass, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home calmly to ensure the hosts would continue their resurgent form.

 

Stirling Lions 2 (Vujacic 22’, Sokol 90+1’)

Cockburn City 0

Saturday April 22, 2017

Macedonia Park

Local kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Adam Fielding

 

Stirling Lions: GK: John PERKINS, 3. Alex SULESKI, 4. Blamo QUA QUA, 6. Dejan SPASESKI, 7. Milorad VUJACIC, 9. Alex TANEVSKI, 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 14. Lukas DE LIMA (8. Steve SOKOL 63’), 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathaing MATHAING, 18. Moses KALAU  

Substitutes not used: RGK: Lance ALAVAKIS, 5. Graham DORAN, 12. Jason RUBIDGE, 17. Darren O’RIORDAN

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

 

Cockburn City: GK: Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT, 5. Chris THACKARAY (13. Blake ADAMS 67’), 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Ali GHOLAMI, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Daniel ROBINSON, 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 12. Kenel MOUITHYS (14. Julian TELES 67’), 16. Calvin WHITNEY, 17. Jesse LAZZARO
Substitutes not used: RGK: Ryan BARKER, 3. Daniel DOLS

Yellow Cards: Grant 65’ Teles 80’

Red Cards: Nil