BAYSWATER City coach Chris Coyne hopes to prove any doubters wrong when his side takes on Perth SC in the Top Four Cup Grand Final tomorrow.
Having made it to the showpiece with a 4-1 win against Inglewood United in the major semi-final last weekend, Bayswater hosts the final at Frank Drago Reserve.
Coyne was delighted with his side’s strong finish to claim the NPL WA title after a slow start to the campaign.
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READ NOW“People can say what they want from the outside but as a group we remained quietly confident that we would get there in the end,” the former Socceroos defender said.
“It was never going to be easy but we knew with the amount of home games we had in the last 13 (rounds) we would be in with a chance and it proved that way.
“The fact we have been successful with this group in the past meant that they didn’t panic and just kept believing in the structures we have in place and have instilled in the group over a few years now.”
Coyne praised his fellow coaching staff and acknowledged Bayswater’s journey to the Top Four Cup Grand Final had been the result of a team effort.
“I’m very lucky to have the team that I have at Bayswater,” he said.
“We all see the game in a very similar way but we are not concerned about getting our point across to challenge each other and get the best outcome for the group.
“They are very different as personalities as well which gives a good balance to the playing and coaching group.”
Coyne was in the stands on Wednesday night when Perth beat Inglewood 3-0 to make it to the final.
“We know it will be an extremely tough game against Perth on Saturday, so my boys will be under no illusion of what is required or expected of them,” he said.
Bayswater City captain Trent Kay said the team turned its season around after an in-house meeting at the half-way mark.
“We were not doing so flash…we were thinking we might not win a trophy and then all of the sudden, we won 10 straight so to make a treble would be fantastic,” he said.
Kay said there was a few good youngsters in contention to replace suspended defender Devon Gibson.
He said Perth SC was a strong and young team that could run out games.
Perth coach Ramon Falzon said his side would do all it could to win successive Top Four Cup Grand Finals after last season’s victory over Inglewood United.
“Bayswater have had the (mid)week off so they will have the advantage, but at this time of the season it’s going to come down to who wants it more on the day,” Falzon said.
“It will go down to who has their tactics right, whose quality player will make a mark and who will take their chances. But we are looking forward to the game and we’ll be doing our best to bring the cup home to Dorrien Gardens.”
Perth has won the Premier League title on 21 occasions, and Falzon hoped his players could make it 22 after a fantastic season.
“Winning the double (League and Top Four Cup) last year gave us confidence, and we’ve continued this season and have worked extremely hard,” he said.
“The second part of the season we’ve really played well and have been scoring goals, and I would like to see the lads be rewarded for all their hard work with a trophy.”
The under-18 game between Inglewood United and Bayswater City kicks off at 10am, and Perth SC take on Cockburn City in the under-20 final at 12.15pm.
Bayswater City v Perth SC Saturday, September 9 Frank Drago Reserve Kick-off: 2:30pm
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