Report by Peter Simcox

Bayswater City continues to lead the National Premier Leagues WA after a 4-1 win against Stirling Lions at Macedonia Park.

It was a sombre day for West Australian football on Saturday, after the sudden death of former Stirling Lions player Dylan Tombides in the UK.

A minute of applause was observed prior to kick-off by players, coaches and supporters alike, to honour the 20-year-old West Ham United and Young Socceroos player who lost his battle with cancer.

Some of the goals scored on the day were Tombides like; Steve Burton bagged two for the visitors, while James Isaia and Jamie Coyne’s long-range strikes were outstanding, while the Lions’ goal was a stunning curling shot from David Micevski.

Bayswater City skipper Trent Kay was delighted to come away with the three points. “They made it hard for us early, but the game opened up when we made it 2-1,” he said.

“We took our chances today and Jamie (Coyne) has been trying them all season, and he was eventually going to get one, and he did today.”

Assistant coach Stewart Moses was happy with the way his side held firm under a Lions onslaught early.

“We knew they would be up for it, and we spoke about it before the game to stay tight and keep our shape and eventually we did that,” he said.

“We had some harsh words at the break about certain things, but to the lads’ credit they dictated terms after the break and we’re delighted to take the three points.”

The Lions came out roaring and Devon Spence had to be alert to save David Micevski’s free kick after only three minutes, before the Bayswater custodian saved another David Micevski shot five minutes later. Hayden Doyle’s run and shot deflected just over the crossbar as the Lions pressed for the opener.

But against the run of play the visitors hit the front. New signing Sam Mitchinson found space down the left, and the former Melbourne Heart midfielder’s cross picked out David Heagney, who was bundled down by Jack Salter and referee Michal Jasinski pointed straight to the spot. Burton stepped up to send Aleks Vrteski the wrong way and give Bayswater the lead.

Both sides had chances early in the second half, Ali Ghoulami’s shot flashed just wide of the post for the Lions, before Kay’s header from Todd Howarth’s corner flew inches over the top for the visitors.

Then on 59 minutes the Lions levelled. Doyle picked the ball up in the middle of the park and ran at the Bayswater defence. He held off two defenders before pulling the ball back to David Micevski, who was given far too much space on the edge of the penalty area, and he curled a stunning shot into the bottom corner of the net.

It was the home side on top and they went close again moments later. Again it was Doyle in the centre of the action. The former Perth Glory midfielder wasn’t closed down and his shot from the edge of the penalty area was superbly saved by Spence.

With coach Chris Coyne barking instructions from the dugout, Bayswater brought on Isaia for Adam Bachiller and the midfielder had an immediate impact as the visitors hit the front again on 63 minutes.  Heagney was played in by Howarth, who in turn picked out Isaia, who fired home from 20 yards.  

It was 3-1 eight minutes later, Heagney’s first touch gave him space in the penalty area, and he played in his strike partner Burton. The Lions defence looked for the offside flag that never came, and Burton slotted home low past Vrteski.

The icing was put on the cake, two minutes from time. Coyne picked up the ball in the middle of the park, racing forward and firing home a stunning long-range shot to make it an emphatic 4-1 win and keep Bayswater’s 100% start to the season. 

Stirling Lions 1 (David Micevski 59’)
Bayswater City 4 (Burton 29’, 71’, Isaia 63’, Coyne 88’)
Saturday 19th April 2014
Venue – Macedonia Park
Attendance - 300
Referee – Michal Jasinski
Assistants – Taz Paraskevas, Rory Jackson

Stirling Lions – GK Aleks VRTESKI, 2 Ricky SMITH, 4 Ali GHOULAMI, 6 Hayden DOYLE, 8 Andy BROWN, 9 Daniel MICEVSKI (5 David FILLIPOU 86’), 10 David MICEVSKI ( 7 Tim HILL 76’), 11 Dennis GALAN, 13 Jack SALTER (12 Danny MILNE 74’), 14 Clayton ARNEZ, 10 Howard NEIGHBOUR

Subs not used - RGK Connor CAMPBELL, 3 Michael PUGLIESE
Yellow Cards – Doyle 44’, Arnez 90+2’

Bayswater City - GK Devon SPENCE, 3 Adam BACHILLER (18 James ISAIA 60’), 5 Andy REALE, 6 Todd HOWARTH, 7 Sam MITCHINSON, 12 Steve BURTON, 13 Trent KAY, 15 Brian FARRELL (11 Adrian CACERES 90+1’), 16 Jamie COYNE, 20 Chris SALDARIS, 21 David HEAGNEY (17 Sahr MUSA 83’)

Subs not used - RGK Joel DRISCOLL, 2 Declan HARGREAVES
Yellow Cards – Bachiller 38’, Saldaris 41’