Quinncroft brace sees Armadale past Stirling

Report by Jayden Lihou

 

Two goals from Billy Quinncroft helped Armadale defeat Stirling Lions 2-0 in round 19 of the PS4 NPLWA at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

The match was goalless until 74 minutes when Quinncroft scored the opener, before sealing the game with a long-range effort in injury time.

Armadale’s second home win of the season sees them extend their unbeaten run to four matches and coach John O’Reilly said his side’s discipline was key in their win.

“At this level you can’t afford to switch off for two minutes, otherwise you’ll get punished by the opposition,” he said.

“But today we had the discipline to focus for the full 90 minutes and that’s what got us the three points in the end.

“Billy (Quinncroft) is definitely a threat up front because he not only scores goals, but he’s able to create chances as well, and he did that today so I’m delighted with his performance.”

Armadale had a chance to score on 31 minutes when Quinncroft cut in from the wing, but Stirling keeper John Perkins saved the striker’s effort.

Stirling had a chance to take the lead in the shadows of half time when Daniel Micevski was fouled outside the area.

The resulting free kick from Cameron Teece deflected to the feet of Shane Cassidy, but Armadale goalkeeper Michael Craggs was equal to his effort.

Craggs made another good block on 52 minutes, when he saved an effort from Alex Tanevski after a through ball put him in on goal.

But the home side took the lead with 15 minutes to play, when substitute Jordan Pavett crossed the ball for Quinncroft to head deftly past Perkins.

Stirling had a chance to equalise five minutes later when Milorad Vujacic put Teece through on goal, but his curled effort was just wide of the post.

With time running out, Quinncroft sealed the win when he caught Perkins off his line, and lobbed him from distance to the elation of the home support.

Stirling coach Rob Milevski rued missed opportunities for his team.

“It was always going to be a tough game today in the wet conditions,” he said.

“But at the end of the day Armadale took their chances and unfortunately we didn’t.

“There were a lot of positives for us in this game, but we just need to focus on finishing during the week and hopefully we can bounce back next week against Glory.”

 

Armadale 2 (Quinncroft 74min, 91)

Stirling Lions 0

Saturday July 1, 2017

Alfred Skeet Reserve

Kick-off: 3.00pm

Referee: Tom Glavovic

Assistants: Walter Ciotti, Jake Norris

 

Armadale: GK. Michael CRAGGS, 3. Jake SARDELIC, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (C), 7. Charlie KENNA, 9. Kyle KING (12. Joshua TOMOE 59’), 14. David ANNALL, 16. Billy QUINNCROFT, 17. James ATKINS (8. Jordan PAVETT 68’), 19. Beau RAHIM, 20. Ali GHOLAMI, 25. Anthony SKORICH

Substitutes not used: 2. Dylan WHITE, 18. Milan OGNJENOCIV, 30. Alec RADONICH

Yellow Cards: Rahim 45, Quinncroft 48

Red Cards: Nil

 

Stirling Lions: GK. John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 5. Nicholas ASHLEY, 6. Robbie MCNEILL, 7. Milorad VUJACIC (3. Zane CASELLA 90’), 9. Alex TANEVSKI (12. Jason RUBIDGE 68’), 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathaing MATHIANG, 17. Daniel O’RIORDAN, 19. Cameron TEECE

Substitutes not used: 8. Alex SULESKI, 13. Debaba MTWALE, 20. Lance ALAVAKIS

Yellow cards: Micevski 56’

Red cards: Nil




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