Stirling ventured down to Pooraka to face a physical Gleeson side in a must win game to keep promotion hopes alive. The starting line-up remained unchanged after a dominant display the previous weekend against Southern Breakers.
The opening stanza was fast and furious, with both teams trying to gain ascendancy on a bobbly Gleeson pitch. As the half wore on Stirling begun to gain control and threaten the Gleeson goal with long runs down the wing from Daniel Wilby. In the 20th minute mark Gleeson’s defence was breached with a low cross from Josh Lushington met by Sean Lang for an easy tap in. Celebrations were short lived however as the goal was ruled offside. Not long after Tim Cookes cracked a left footed half volley from 35 yards out, only to be denied by the top corner of the crossbar. The breakthrough finally came after Lang played a ball to Lushington, who turned passed the defence and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. Ten minutes later is was 2-0, with an Adam Gore tap in after a ball was whipped in from Matt Hawker and the keeper was forced to make a save after the ball pinballed around the six yard box.
Lang finally got is goal not long after the restart as he weaved his way through the defence before poking the ball underneath the keeper from a tight angle. Ten minutes into the half Lang was replaced by Ryan Gore who made an immediate impact down the right hand side of the midfield. The Aces defence of Simon Dawe, Josh Goldsworthy, Jean-Pierre Bastouil, James Laughton and keeper Danny Prince were solid all game and did not have a great deal to do in the second half. Gleeson were pinned in their own half for the majority of the second half with the Aces applying a lot of pressure, making it hard for Gleeson to keep possession for an extended period of time. This then allowed Stirling to maintain possession and create a number of chances to increase their lead even further, however this did not occur and Stirling had to settle for a 3-0 triumph.
With results not going Stirling’s way, it meant that the chance of promotion back into division 1 will have to wait another year. The Aces will still have to face Modbury in one of their catch up games next weekend to decide the title. Modbury need to win to take the title and be promoted, anything less than this will result in division 2 football again next year as Vipers and Cougar’s remain locked on 38 points, 2 clear of Modbury and seven clear of Stirling. A large crowd is expected at Bradbury Park next weekend for this title deciding clash.
Ryan Gore looks to play a diagonal ball into the box during the encounter with Gleeson FC at Pooraka.
Adam Gore stretches to intercept a attacking pass from a Gleeson opponent.
Daniel Wilby quickly closes down his opponent.