Lions bite back to defeat Inglewood
Report by Chris Caldwell
Photo by Inglewood United
Two clinical second half strikes from Moses Kalau were enough for Stirling Lions to pick up what may prove to be a vital three PS4 NPLWA points after a 2-0 home victory over Inglewood United at Macedonia Park on Sunday.
Having found themselves under sustained pressure in the first half and reliant on some superb goalkeeping by John Perkins, Stirling regrouped after the interval and left their visitors stunned with Kalau’s quickfire double.
Coach Rob Micevski said his team were disciplined in round six after a disappointing game last week at home against Subiaco.
“We hit them on the counter a couple of times and got a clean sheet,” he said. “I’m very happy to get the three points, which is very much needed.
“Johnny Perkins, I thought, kept us in the game with a couple of great saves in the first half and Moses delivered with a couple of great strikes so I’m quite happy with the result.”
Both of the Lions’ goals showed the clinical edge lacking by Inglewood and the early season defensive frailty that has blighted the visitors’ early season form.
The opener arrived in the 56th minute when Kalau picked up possession on the right corner of the box, switched the ball onto his left foot and lashed his shot past Alex Dunn at the keeper’s near post.
Just 11 minutes later, the livewire forward latched onto an incisive throughball after neat combination play in midfield, beat United centre halves Adam Tong and Scott Blackmore for pace and then dispatched a composed low finish.
Had Inglewood’s forwards brought their shooting boots, the outcome may have been different.
Playing into a strong breeze in the first period, they created several good openings after Kalau had threatened with a teasing cross and a free kick. On 21 minutes, Alex Salmon picked out Jason Colli at the back post, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post and inches from Brian Farrell’s outstretched leg.
Seven minutes after that, Colli returned the favour with a superb pass for Farrell, but he was caught in two minds, unsure whether to use his head or his feet and scooped his shot harmlessly over.
Perkins was then at his best on 34 minutes, saving smartly from Woodall and Collo before John Migas fired wide on the angle.
In the final five minutes of the half, Salmon picked out Pritchard, who was denied by Perkins and from the rebound, Colli’s shot was inches from the onrushing Salmon at the back post.
Stirling, who had offered little in the final third in the opening period, then showed their intentions for the second half with David Micevski forcing Dunn into a smart save from distance.
After the match, disappointed Inglewood coach Taki Nikolaidis, said his team needs to take more chances.
"I thought we were quite strong in the first half, but unfortunately it’s a 90 minute game and when you give opposition teams an opportunity, they put the ball in the back of the net,” he said.”
“Goals change games, goals win you games and at the minute we’re leaking in too many and we’re scoring nowhere near enough.
“Everyone’s got views, everyone’s got opinions, but at the end of the day it’s what the coach’s views and opinions are and I think a few of the boys are going to get a big kick up the bum this week.
“It’s been the story of our season so far. We’ve been in positions to get in front or stay in front and we haven’t been clinical. It’s back to the drawing board!”
Stirling Lions 2 (Kalau, 56 and 67)
Inglewood United 0
Sunday, March 16, 2017
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant referees: Amit Hosany and Sorousha Moayer
Stirling Lions: 1. John PERKINS, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 6. Dejan SPASESKI, 7. Milorad VUJACIC (cpt),m 10. Daniel MICEVSKI, 11. David MICEVSKI, 12. Jason RUBIDGE (4. Blamo QUA QUA, 83), 14. Lukas DI LIMA, 15. Shane CASSIDY, 16. Mathaing MATHAING, 18. Moses KALAU (17. Darren O’RIORDAN, 73).
Substitutes not used: 3. Alex SULESKI, 20. Lucas ALAVSKI, 13. William KESSEL.
Yellow cards: Nil.
Red cards: Nil
Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN, 3. David CYRUS (Cpt), 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Adam TONG, 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 11. John MIGAS, 14. Mark PRITCHARD (7. Kenny KEOGH, 63), 15. Brian FARRELL (12. Luke RANDAZZO, 76), 18. Jason COLLI (10. Ash ROSINDALE, 63), 23. Brian WOODALL.
Substitutes not used: 20. Connor BECSI, RGK, Riley STEPHENSON.
Yellow cards: Tong, 27; Farrell, 76; Randazzo, 76.
Red cards: Nil.
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