Inglewood United have returned home empty handed from Macedonia Park after Stirling Lions struck twice in the second half to register a 2-0 win in round six of the National Premier Leagues. Taki Nicolaidis’ team created the majority of the afternoon’s chances but, not for the first time this season, had little to show for their efforts at the end of the 90 minutes.
“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,” disappointed coach Taki Nikolaidis 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.”
The game could have been over by the break had Inglewood brought along their finishing boots. Jason Colli’s side-foot across the face of goal was just beyond the reach of Brian Farrell on 20 minutes. Colli was again the provider seven minutes later when Farrell placed high of the target from dead in front.
John Perkins thwarted Brian Woodall and Colli in the same passage of play, and soon after the Stirling custodian produced similar heroics to prevent Mark Pritchard from putting Inglewood ahead. It took until just before half-time for Stirling to threaten, Daniel Micevski’s fierce strike being tipped away by Alex Dunn.
Stirling picked up where they left off and on 55 minutes Moses Kalau picked created a goal out of nothing, the attacker’s thunderbolt crashing into the net from distance. Kalau doubled the lead eleven minutes later by latching onto a defence splitting pass and slotting through the goalkeeper’s legs.
A late Inglewood charge produced a flurry of chances. Salmon struck narrowly the wrong side of the near post and substitute Kenny Keogh did likewise with a clever flick. The game was in stoppage time when Perkins denied Salmon by tipping his opponent’s header away from the top corner.
Match stats
Stirling Lions 2 (Moses Kalau 55, 66)
Inglewood United 0
Stirling Lions: John Perkins, Mathaing Mathiang, Shane Cassidy, Dejan Spaseski, Michael Pugliese, Daniel Micevski, David Micevski, Miki Vujacic, Lukas De Lima, Moses Kalau (Darren O’Riordan) 72), Jason Rubidge (Blamo Qua Qua 81)
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, David Cyrus, Adam Tong, Scott Blackmore, John Migas, Brian Farrell (Luke Randazzo 74), Jason Barrera, Mark Pritchard (Ashley Rosindale 61), Jason Colli (Kenny Keogh 61), Brian Woodall, Alex Salmon
Bookings: Tong (25), Randazzo (74), Farrell (74)
Dismissals: Nil
