Perth SC ran out 3-0 winners in Sunday’s big clash against Stirling Lions in the Football West Premier Division Match of the Week at the BGC Stadium – Dorrien Gardens. [Video Highlights added]

A second half double from Andreas Oliviera and a David Onoforo strike was enough to beat Michael Lyons side and keep them in the top four.

The visitors opened brightly and were close on three minutes, Steve Porter’s cross from the left was flapped at by keeper Gareth Deeg and Gianfranco Circati had to be alert to clear the ball off the line. Then three minutes later Porter’s corner fell to Jordan Rhodes, his first time volley was tipped over by Deeg.

Perth’s first chance came on 11 minutes; Oliviera’s shot from the edge of the box was saved low by Phil Straker. The pitch was difficult for both sides early with a number of players slipping on the wet surface, but it was Perth who began to get on top. First Antonio Naglieri’s 20-yard shot flew wide, while Andrija Jukic’s long-range shot suffered the same fate.

Perth’s new signing Steven Campbell came to his sides rescue on 20 minutes, Ludovic Boi's through ball found Phil Arnold, but the former Rangers and Airdrie United defender blocked the youngster’s goal bound shot.  

The home side suffered a blow on 25 minutes when Matt Danskin dislocated his shoulder in a challenge and he was replaced by Brendan Ross. It was end to end as the half time break approached, Michael Pugliese’s shot on the turn was saved low by Deeg and Jukic fired straight at Straker but it was scoreless at the break.

Perth opened the second half brightly, and Naglieri sent Onoforo clear in the opening minute, but Straker narrowed the angle well and he fired wide.

Onoforo looked lively and he was found again moments later by a superb long ball from Campbell, but the veteran striker fired wide.

Graham Normanton’s side were well on top and Oliviera and Onoforo were causing the Lions defence allsorts of problems, and from Ross’ cross on 52 minutes Onoforo fired wide from the edge of the box.

A Lions counter-attack caused the Perth defence problems on the 56 minutes, Boi’s cross was laid back by Marc Anthony into the path of Porter, but his shot from 20-yards was saved by Deeg.

But the breakthrough came in controversial circumstances on the hour; a long ball from Greg Sharland found Onoforo and with the striker seemingly going wide of the goal he fell under Darko Ilomanoski challenge and referee Hugh Best pointed to the spot. It looked a little harsh but Oliviera kept his nerve sending Straker the wrong way to open the scoring.

The Lions almost hit back immediately Boi was ready to pull the trigger on the edge of the box but Campbell again made a vital tackle to clear the danger. 

But the Lions found themselves two down on 63 minutes, a free kick on the left by Sharland found the unmarked Onoforo in the six-yard box and he headed home.

Perth made the game safe on 74 minutes with the third, Oliviera was found down the right hand side of the box and he finished clinically past Straker from 10-yards.

Late on the Lions had a chance of a consolation goal when Boi’s cross found second half substitute Mark Redshaw in the box and he was pushed in the back by David Price and referee Best pointed to the spot. Porter stepped up but Deeg saved his spot kick superbly to his left.

Perth Coach Graham Normanton was pleased with the teams’ performance. “It’s a game we earmarked before the season as a tough game against Stirling, so to win 3-0 and to keep a clean sheet is very pleasing,” said Normanton.

Normanton was also pleased with the debut of new signing Steven Campbell. “He made some important challenges for us at crucial times in the game. That’s why we brought him in, he’s a good defender, but he will get better once he’s settled into the team and the competition,” added Normanton. 

Perth SC – GK Gareth Deeg, 2 Trent Kay, 3 Gianfranco Circati, 5 Andrija Jukic, 7 Matthew Danskin (16 Brendan Ross 25 min), 9 David Onoforo, 10 Andreas Oliveira, 12 Peter Lord, 14 Steven Campbell (11 David Price 64 min), 15 Antonio Naglieri, 23 Greg Sharland

Subs not used: RGK Simon Madaschi, 18 Adam Heit, 17 Genaveo Human

Yellow Cards – Jukic 56,

Stirling Lions – GK Phil Straker, 2 Michael Pugliese, 3 Darko Ilomanoski, 5 Dean Evans, 6 Jordan Rhodes, 7 Leo Harman (15 Mark Redshaw 71 min), 9 Ludovic Boi, 10 Marc Anthony (8 Andy Brown 71 min), 11 Alan Muir, 16 Steve Porter, 17 Phil Arnold

Subs not used: RGK Mark Bentley, 12 Matt Italiano, 4 Chris Rutherford,

Yellow Cards – Rhodes 17, Ilomanoski 60, Anthony 63, Arnold 69, Muir 76  

Referee – Hugh Best