Stirling back in NPL, Dianella win Division Two title
Stirling Macedonia were crowned champions of Men's State League Division One and confirmed their return to the NPL following a 4-0 win at second-place Western Knights.
It was a 15th win in a row for Ian Ferguson's relentless outfit who sit 15 points clear of the rest with four matches to play in what has been a dominant campaign. Veteran striker Gavin Knight volleyed in his 17th goal of the season to get Stirling rolling and they doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Alex Tanevski hooked over his shoulder. Tanevski rolled home a third before Hugo Snowden came off the bench to net for a second consecutive game as Stirling's coronation was capped off and the celebrations began.
Elsewhere, there were a couple of key results in the bottom half of the league, as Forrestfield United drew seven points clear of the drop zone with a 2-0 win over UWA Nedlands. Joshua Marocchi turned Steven McDonald's header into his own in first-half stoppage time to give the hosts the lead. Scott Barker then volleyed home from a corner with five minutes left as Graham Normanton's side won back-to-back league matches.
Olympic Kingsway also boosted their survival chances with a 2-0 win at bottom side Swan United. Harry Evans' free-kick from just inside the Swan half flew over the goalkeeper's head for the former ECU Joondalup and Inglewood midfielder's second goal of the season. Harry Edwards then got off the mark with a scruffy second to leave the visitors eight points clear of relegation.
Ashfield currently occupy the relegation-play-off spot above Swan United and seven points adrift of the rest after losing 3-1 at Fremantle City. Noah Shamaki picked out the bottom corner on 36 minutes to move into double figures for the season and the striker doubled City's lead early in the second half with another emphatic finish. Thomas Kinnane looped in a third as Cameron Lord's side made it five unbeaten to keep their Top Four Cup hopes alive. Leon Anderson pulled back a late consolation for Ashfield, who play their game in hand against Forrestfield this week in what's shaping as key clash for their survival hopes.
Elsewhere, Joondalup United went third as they defeated Subiaco 3-2 for a fourth straight win. Jamie Gardiner scored for a third consecutive week with an early volley from close range, but Ben Campbell turned in an equaliser five minutes before half-time. Nicholas Maplestone heade Joondalup United back in front in first-half stoppage time before Jay Lang's ninth of the season from the penalty spot made the points more likely. Ben Johns rifled home what proved to be a Subiaco consolation as they dropped from seventh to 10th, but they still have a seven-point margin on the bottom two.
Finally, Mandurah City moved back into the top half of the league with a 1-0 win over Quinns FC. Afian Giyanto collected Rory McGrath's reverse pass and scored on 44 minutes to end a run of five games without a win for Mandurah, while Quinns have lost their last three and drop to fourth with defeat.
In Division Two, Dianella White Eagles secured the title and their inevitable promotion with a 3-0 win at Morley Windmills. Stewy Moses' side are now 18 unbeaten. An Alex Galipo own goal set them on their way to win number 17 inside the opening five minutes. Daniel McKenzie then struck either side of half-time to start the party as Dianella returned to Division One for the first time since 2018.
At the bottom of the league, Canning City came from 2-1 down to defeat Kelmscott Roos 5-2 in a relegation six-pointer. Jack Murray put Canning ahead on 11 minutes but goals from George Ballah and Callum Hussain before the break put the visitors in front. Connor Nicolaidis drew City level early in the second half before goals from James Atkins and another from Murray turned it around. Kelmscott sit 10 points adrift of safety with four games left.
Elsewhere, it was a good day for Murdoch University Melville who were the only side between second and fifth to win as they beat Gosnells City 2-1. Taki Nicolaidis' side have won six in a row but went behind when Wade Farmer struck for Gosnells. Goals from Declan Tanna and Dion Berman turned it around as MUM FC went third.
Balga moved into the top half with a 2-0 win over Joondalup City while Wanneroo City and Curtin University drew 0-0.
The Carramar Shamrock Rovers v Kingsley Westside game was abandoned after an hour with Carramar leading 1-0 thanks to Lachlan Parker's penalty.
Filed Under: Men's State League