NPL - Lions seek dual benefit
Stirling Lions’ Rikki Smith says tomorrow’s National Premier Leagues WA clash with Bayswater City is doubly significant with a Cool Ridge Cup clash between the teams also on the horizon.
Fifth-placed Stirling are determined to feature in the NPL WA finals series and a win over league-leading Bayswater at Frank Drago Reserve would be a significant boost.
“Bayswater turned us over 4-1 at our place earlier in the season and that loss was hard for the entire club to swallow,” Smith said.
“Most teams would be worried about playing the front-runners two weeks in a row but it is a challenge we are all relishing.
“It’s a great opportunity for one side to gain a psychological edge going into the cup final and I think it’s an opportunity that we will grab with both hands.
“We are, however, under no illusions that our season is on the line in the coming weeks and we will do everything we can to climb into the top four and win the Cool Ridge Cup.”
This weekend’s fixtures will be tinged with sadness as a moment of silence is respected in memory of Inglewood United stalwart, Siggy Kramer, who passed away this week.
Smith joined the Lions from Inglewood and was saddened by the news.
“I was devastated to hear that Siggy had passed away,” he said.
“He played a huge part in helping me to settle into life in Western Australia, so I will be working extra hard to get a win in his honour on Saturday.”
NPL WA fixtures - Saturday: Balcatta v ECU Joondalup (Grindleford Reserve, 3pm); Inglewood United v Perth (Intiga Stadium, 3pm); Armadale v Perth Glory (Alfred Skeet Oval, 3pm); Floreat Athena v Cockburn City (E&D Litis Stadium, 3pm); Sorrento v Subiaco (Percy Doyle Reserve, 3pm); Bayswater City v Stirling Lions (Frank Drago Reserve, 3pm).
