Armadale had everything to do in this game; Stirling were sitting comfortably mid-table with their season seemingly over with nothing to really play for, and the away side’s performance last week was so dire they had to prove that they still deserve to be in this league.

In a game that was always going to be substance over style, Armadale proved a stronger physical presence than in previous weeks.

Stirling Lions controlled the pace of the game for the first 15 minutes, but then the visiting team started to ascend in determination, dominating the chances created for the first half.

Armadale had the first open chance of the game with Ravi Kuppusamy, a constant threat throughout, cut the ball back to Darren Francis, who only had the keeper to beat, but blasted his shot over the bar from six yards out.

The opening goal came in the 33rd minute when Stirling defender Jason Gavin was deemed to handle the ball in the penalty area. The home players protesting the hand-ball was outside the area.

Kuppusamy stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and there was never any doubt it was going to be a goal.

The second half started much the same as the first half did. Stirling came out firing and captain Andy Brown was denied with a wonder save from the returning Cyril Sharrock for Armadale.

The next 15 minutes saw Stirling miss a string of chances, with the Armadale defence starting to open up dangerously. Sharrock was again called upon to make a few saves to keep the home side at bay.

Armadale’s second goal came against the play, with Kuppusamy breaking on the counter and setting up Rhys Loxley, who slotted underneath keeper Cory Hugo from just inside the area.

Stirling got one back with Anthony Lyons scoring in the 79th minute after a good cross from Gareth McGlynn. Lyons proved difficult for the Armadale defence to deal with, but often his final ball was slightly off.

Stirling had their chances to equalise in the last 10 minutes, but failed to do so after resolute defending from Armadale.

The game ended on a sour note as a crude tackle from Sam Loveless saw him see his second yellow, sent off with just over a minute remaining, and Stirling substitute Andy Harrold booked for shoving Loveless in retaliation.

Armadale coach Lee Bamber stayed grounded after the win.

“It (the win) doesn’t mean anything yet. We’ve still got to get a couple of points.”

“It’s a great win, but as far as the season goes we haven’t achieved anything.

“We’ve got a group of players that haven’t played together at all before and when you’ve got a couple of players that go out it upsets the balance of the side a bit.”

 

Stirling Lions 1 (Anthony LYONS 79’)

Armadale SC 2 (Ravi KUPPUSAMY 33’, Rhys LOXLEY 69’)

Saturday 18 August, 2012

Macedonia Park, Stirling

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: P. Anderson

Stirling Lions: GK. Cory HUGO, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 3. Clayton ARNEZ, 4. Jason GAVIN, 5. Hayden BARNETT (12. Andy HAROLD 49’), 6. Adam LUCA, 7. Gareth McGLYNN, 8. Andy BROWN, 9. Anthony LYONS, 10. Dennis GALAN, 11. Matt HAROLD (13. Dylan FILOCAMO 75’)

 

Unused substitutes: 20. Drew JENKE, 14. Kyran NUNES, 15. David HUNT

Yellow cards: Hayden BARNETT 14’, 1. Cory HUGO 33’, Anthony LYONS 66’, 12. Andy HARROLD 90+3’

Red cards: Nil

Armadale SC: GK. Cyril Sharrock, 4. Wilf DINSDALE, 5. Nick VAGGIO, 6. Nathan COSTELLO, 7. Ravi KUPPUSAMY, 8. Dale WINGELL (3. Mark McCLEMENTS 68’), 9. Darren FRANCIS (15. Sean NICHOLLS 87’), 10. Alan DARLINGTON (18. Brandon CATCHPOLE 80’), 12. Rhys LOXLEY, 13. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI

 

Unused substitutes: 1. Jack ADAMS, 17. Blake ADAMS

Yellow cards: Sam LOVELESS 7’, 90+3’, Darren FRANCIS 59’, Cyril SHARROCK 87’

Red cards: Sam LOVELESS 90+3’