Stirling Lions 3 Vs. 1 Wanneroo City

David Dugdale scored twice to lead Stirling Lions to a 3-1 victory over Wanneroo City in summery conditions at Macedonia Park. The hosts came out of the blocks fast and on were on the scoreboard after 10 minutes when Dugdale smash on goal produced a great reflex save from Wanneroo custodian Kevin Miller who was helpless as ever-alert midfielder Leo Harman drove the loose ball into the net. Wanneroo were not to be denied with their search for an equaliser lead by Ahmed Hafez and David Houston. Terrific goalkeeping from Miller kept the visitors in the game as the youngster kept out goalbound shots from Andy Brown and Dugdale. It was only a matter of time before the pressure valve was relieved via a good through ball from Andy Brown which was into the path of Dugdale who sized up the advancing ‘keeper to chip into the roof of the net after 36 minutes. Andy Brown then crashed a shot from point-blank range into the crossbar following some nimble footed lead-up play from Phil Arnold. This same pattern carried over into the second half and both Arnold and Dugdale went within a whisker of adding to the tally. Stirling’s total domination culminated in a third goal on 62 minutes when Dugdale guided the ball into the net after a blistering run down the right by Arnold. To their credit Wanneroo refused to throw in the towel and a swift counter attack caught the hosts by surprise with Hafez cleverly flicking past an advancing Phil Straker to reduce the deficit. The game lost it’s sizzle late in the piece with the hot conditions sapping player energy levels.