A goal by new recruit Barry Devlin on 73 minutes gave Western Knights all three points against Stirling Lions in this afternoon’s Football West Premier League clash at Macedonia Park. The midfielder fired home from the edge of the box after good approach work from Anthony Fearon and Paul Cooke. 

It was an even opening to the game played in picture perfect conditions, and the visitors created the first real chance on 13 minutes. Josip Peran’s cross from the right was headed goal wards by Ivan Gavranich, Lions keeper Phil Straker was alert to push the ball over the bar.

Then it was the turn of Rory Grant to try his luck after he was found by Fearon, the striker’s shot flew well wide. Michael Lyons’ side hit back on 20 minutes, Phil Arnold’s long throw fell to Dean Evans in the box, and his snap shot was only inches past the post.

There were chances at both ends, first a mistake at the back by Darko Ilomanoski allowed Fearon in on goal, but Straker was out bravely to save at his feet. Then a superb cross field pass from Alan Muir sent Arnold clear down the right. His pin point cross found the unmarked Andy Brown in the penalty area, but the big striker headed wide.

The Knights went close on the half-hour, Gavanich was found on the left flank, he crossed to Fearon whose goal bound shot was deflected wide by Jordan Reid.

As the half ended the Lions lifted, Arnold’s intelligent ball sent Evans clear on goal on 40 minutes; the youngster’s low shot was well saved by Kevin Miller. Then the Knights keeper came to his side’s rescue two minutes later, saving low to his left to deny Evans again. It was 0-0 at the break.

The home side opened up the second half the better, and Evans was again thwarted by Miller at full stretch on 48 minutes, then Steven Hesketh’s long throw was flicked on by Andy Brown and Arnold fired wide.

It was still anyone’s game and the Knights upped the tempo and they went close twice in as many minutes. First Paul Cooke crossed from the left on 62 minutes and found skipper Cormac Dawson on the edge of the box but he fired wide. Then second half substitute Michael de Souza crossed from the right and Fearon fired wide when well placed.

Both sides were going for the victory and Brown’s header from a Muir corner was headed off the line by Keith Butler on 66 minutes and the Knights went straight down the other end and Jonathan Mathers was sent clear by de Souza but the defender blazed over.

The winner for the Knights came on 73 minutes Fearon and Cooke combined well on the right. Cooke, the 2006 Football West Gold Medalist, found Devlin on the edge of the box and he fired low past Straker.

The Lions pressed late and from Arnold’s cross on 81 minutes, Hesketh headed wide, and moments later Leo Harman’s long-range shot was saved low by Miller.  But the Knights held on for a hard fought victory.

Stirling Lions – GK Straker, Pugliese, Ilomanovski, Hesketh, Arnold, Harman, Brown (Osei-Tutu 80), Muir, Evans, Italiano (Feely 80), Reid

Subs not used – Bentley, Filocamo, Houston

Western Knights – GK Miller, Peran, Butler, Allen, Mathers, Devlin, Cooke, Gavranich (de Souza 55), Fearon, Grant, Dawson

Subs not used – Darling, Ferguson, Shackleton

Referee Stephen Gregory

Football West Match Reporter - Peter Simcox