It was all smiles for Stirling Lions Soccer Club this weekend as the senior team followed their U18s and reserve side to complete a triumphant trio of victories with a 4-1 thrashing of ECU Joondalup.

Jordan Rhodes'  delicate lob over Chris McCrone rounded off a tremendous victory for the away side as they fought back from an early Tommy Amphlett strike to secure a convincing victory over Joondalup.

A fine sunny day beckoned an impressive turnout to ECU for this round 18 clash and with only one point separating the two sides — and both with a point to prove after suffering heavy defeats last week — this promised to be a tantalising tie. 

Stirling took the kick-off and made a promising start and captain Phil Arnold could have surged the away side into an early lead but his close-range shot was gathered comfortably by Chris McCrone in the Joondalup goal.

In the 11th minute Chris Rutherford came close in the box with a shot that was deflected wide after he latched onto a long throw by Arnold from the right.  

Joondalup responded strongly to the early pressure and Amphlett added his name to the score sheet in the 17th minute finishing off a whipped cross by Walmsley with a driven shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Seeking to make amends, Stirling were back on the attack and Arnold again came close but his header was cleared off the line.

Scott Bushby fired wide from the edge after some intricate passing by Garin Collins and Walmsley in the 21st minute and Craig Cheeseman couldn't produce the power to trouble Straker after a knock-back from Joondalup captain Ian McMurray. 

The Lions began to create nervousness in the home outfit and they were dominating the midfield with Liverpool lad Steve Porter pulling the strings and pacey Ludo Boi unsettling defenders. Joondalup finally cracked in the 37th minute when Steve Porter floated in a free-kick from near the right corner flag which McCrone misjudged and the ball coasted into the top corner.

Stirling held all the cards and Boi— loitering with intent at the near post — rifled a Porter corner into roof of the net on the stroke of half time as the Joondalup defence could only stand and stare.

The second half was only minutes old when Straker punched away a header by Cheeseman who rose to meet a corner whipped in by Tommy Amphlett as the home side looked to claw their way back into the game. Seconds later however, as Joondalup scrambled to regroup, Boi coasted through the middle to feed Keith Clevenger who made no mistake in slotting the ball between McCrone's legs.

Stirling looked like they were firmly in command and Arnold fired just wide in the 63rd minute after a clever back-heel by Rhodes deep inside the home side's territory. A minute later, Amphlett was unable to restore any confidence to his side as his shot only managed to sting the fingers of Straker.

Joondalup's fate was sealed in the 70th minute as Rhodes put the final nail in the home side's coffin, lofting the ball over McCrone with his right boot after the ball scurried away from substitute Tommy Jones.

Joondalup seemed to become more exposed in midfield as they tried to salvage something from the game and their afternoon was summed up when Martyn Asworth's 89th-minute free-kick — needing just minimal contact — evaded every player in the box and McMurray also headed over as the referee brought the whistle to his lips to end their misery.

Disappointed Joondalup first team coach Chris Nicholson said: "We got done with every mistake we made. There was just nothing about us and we played with no confidence after such a positive start. We can only try to get out of this rut and the lads have got four games to try and restore their pride."

Delighted Stirling coach Michael Lyons said: "We fought back well after going down to an early goal and the goal before half-time was crucial. It’s been a great day for Stirling Lyons Soccer Club with all sides coming away with wins today."

Joondalup: C. McCrone, A. Jones, J. Walmsely, S. Blackmore, C.Cheeseman, D. Broxton, G. Collins, C. Young, I. Murray, T. Amphlett, S. Bushby.
Subs: J. Thornley, T. Jones, J. Micro, M. Ashworth, D. Mitreviski

Stirling: P. Straker, M. Pugliese, C. Harland, C. Rutherford, D. Evans, J. Rhodes, L. Boi, M. Anthony, S. Porter, P. Arnold, K. Cleavenger.
Subs: A. Brown, M. Bentley, D. Houston, M. Yimer, R. Filcamo.

Bookings: Walmsley, Anthony, Evans.

Referee: Dave Currie