LUKA Ninkovic’s two goals helped Bayswater City tighten its hold atop the National Premier Leagues WA (NPL WA) table with a 3-0 win over Stirling Lions at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday.
Ninkovic gave the NPL WA leaders the lead early and scored his second just after half time in a fiery encounter in which Stirling struggled to make an impact.
The loss was Stirling’s third consecutive defeat with Bayswater youngster Luke Salmon scoring the third goal adding salt to the wound.
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READ NOWBayswater went four points clear at the top following the win with near title rivals Cockburn City held to a draw at home against Inglewood United.
Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was pleased with the win even if the performance wasn’t perfect.
“We started ok… getting that early goal but then we seemed to take our foot off the gas a little bit so I was quite frustrated,” he said.
“In saying that, we’ve kept another clean sheet, scored three goals and we’re clear at the top of the league, so it’ a good day at the office.”
Bayswater found the lead in the 10th minute after Ninkovic got behind the Stirling defence and fired a low shot in off Lions keeper Pasquale Gioffre.
Stirling was still much in the game and at half time the game could have gone either way.
However, Ninkovic scored his second four minutes after the restart from a nice cross from former Stirling player Moses Kalau.
Salmon added a third late on following Stirling’s failure to clear from a corner.
Stirling coach Keegan Ashley said the goals conceded were too easy.
“I thought we played reasonably well,” he said.
“Two soft goals and I thought the third might have been offside but that’s the way it goes.”
Bayswater faces a significant test in its title challenge next week against Inglewood, while Stirling will look to turn its poor run of form around against Armadale away from home.
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