Report by Alex Vlahos

Perth Glory are just two wins from all but securing a maiden NPL WA title following Sunday's hard-fought 3-0 victory over Stirling Lions at Ashfield Arena.

Glory moved six points clear of nearest rivals Perth SC, who dropped two points with their draw at Balcatta on Saturday.

Two victories in their last four games would take Glory to 55 points. And while Perth SC could match that total if they win all their remaining matches, Glory have a better goal difference by 15.

Sunday's encounter provided plenty of drama and controversy, with Stirling receiving two red cards and conceding a penalty despite controlling possession for large periods.

Glory took the lead after nine minutes on the back of an error from Lewis Italiano. The Lions goalkeeper spilt a regulation save into the path of Michael Domfeh and the striker tapped in from close range.

To their credit Stirling hit back strongly and continued to cause Glory problems with their aggressive approach.

Hulking striker Abu Delleh worked tirelessly in the forward third ensuring his presence was felt, while Daniel Micevski was a consistent threat from set-pieces.

Stirling's hopes of taking something from the match were dented in the 54th minute, however, when Nicholas Ashley was given a straight red card for a late challenge on Perth’s Henry Hore.

The crowd at Ashfield Arena were mixed in their reactions, with many travelling fans voicing their displeasure at the decision.

But Glory gained in ascendancy following the dismissal and doubled their lead on 80 minutes amid more controversy.

Momfeh was brought down in the box and subsequently awarded a penalty, leading to an angry reaction from Stirling players and supporters.

Lions captain Darren O’Riordan was given his marching orders before Daniel Stynes converted the penalty, despite Italiano getting a hand to it.

The game was put to bed on 86 minutes when a delightful set-play from Glory ended with Stynes finding Bayley Brown-Montgomery in the box for a close-range finish.

Perth Glory coach John Gibson was pleased with the win but praised relegation-threatened Stirling.

He said: “I thought Stirling played really well today. We weren’t at our sharpest and I think they dominated for the majority, especially the first half.

“But fair play to our boys, we weren’t at our best but good teams find a way to win and I think that’s what we did today.”

Stirling Lions coach Keegan Ashley felt his side deserved a bit more from the match.

“Credit to Perth Glory, they are a very good side, but I thought we had the better of the game today,” Ashley said.

“I thought there were a few harsh decisions made but eventually those 50-50 calls will start going our way.”

Stirling have received six red cards in their last four matches, finishing three of those matches with nine men. But Ashley added: "When you’re down the bottom frustration sets in and decisions don’t seem to go your way.

“But we’ve got four games to go and we’ll keep working hard and we are really looking forward to next week’s challenge against Perth (SC).”

The Lions remain one place and one point above the relegation zone but their assignment at the Azzurri next week has been made all the tougher with the suspensions to Ashley and skipper O'Riordan.

Glory, meanwhile, head to third-place Inglewood United next Saturday knowing three points will give them one hand on the title.

Perth Glory 3 (Momfeh 9min, Stynes pen 80, Brown-Montgomery 86)
Stirling Lions 0
Sunday, July 29
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant referees: Walter Ciotti, Mitchell Barrington

Perth Glory: 1. Jackson LEE 2. Luca BODNAR 3. Walter SCOTT 4. Daniel WALSH 5. Ollie ANNIS 6. Zayd Farah 7. Chok DAU (Bayley BROWN-MONTOGMERY 82) 8. Henry HORE (Jack LEECH 87) 9. Michael Momfeh 10. Michael Mcdougall (15. Nic MCDONALD 73) 11. Daniel Stynes
Unused substitutes: 13. Trent OSTLER, 20. Nicholas SPECCA
Yellow cards: Farah, Lee
Red cards: Nil

Stirling Lions: 1. Lewis ITALIANO 2. Alex TANEVSKI 3. Daniel O’RIORDAN 4. Christopher MCLAUGHLIN 5. Nicholas ASHLEY 6. Dhuors CHOL 7. Zane CASELLA 8. Dean CUMMINGS 9. Abu DELLEH (Daniel HEPWORTH) 10. Daniel MICEVSKI 11. Jamie DOLHERTY (Ben CAMPBELL 67)
Unused substitutes: 14. Steve SOKOL. 15. Robbie MCNEIL 20. Damien DAMSONSKI
Yellow cards: Mclaughlin, Delleh, Dolherty, Tanevski
Red cards: Ashley, O’Riordan