BAYSWATER City snatched the National Premier League WA (NPLWA) premiership with a convincing 3-1 victory over Stirling Lions at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday.
Bayswater hit the top of the NPLWA table following the result, but club faithful were left nervously awaiting news of other results before they could celebrate.
A mighty roar echoed around the stadium as the result of the Floreat Athena-Inglewood match filtered through, ensuring Bayswater’s champion title.
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READ NOWCity coach Chris Coyne said he was immensely proud of the players and their work rate.
“The heart rate is up and I don’t think it ever went that high when I was playing,” he said.
“Everything they’ve done in the second half of the season has been magnificent.
“They’ve done so much hard work to get themselves in that position, they deserve all the plaudits.”
Coyne said the team would be back on track on Tuesday, to get ready for the first game of the Top Four Cup on Saturday.
Luca Ninkovic got City off to a bright start within six minutes with a deflected shot that left Stirling keeper, John Perkins stranded.
Gustavo Marulanda doubled the advantage on 36 minutes with a superb finish as he got on the end of a floated through ball and neatly chipped Perkins.
Cameron Teece kept Stirling in the match as he got on the end of a superb cross from Mathiang Mathiang to head home and send the teams into the sheds at 2-1.
City goalkeeper, Devon Spence produced a massive save to deny Stirling’s Blamo Qua Qua from finding an equaliser.
Marulanda found his second off a cool header to seal the win in the 69th minute.
Teece turned from hero to villain for Stirling’s side as Referee Adam Fielding showed him a red card for a second bookable offence.
In his final match in charge, Stirling coach Rob Milevski said it was a great end to the season for City.
“It’s mixed emotions, it would have been nice to finish on a high and win the game today but full credit to Bayswater,” he said.
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