01/10/2026
MASTERS OVER 45’S CUP FINAL – PREVIEW
The Masters Over 45’s Cup Final sees FC Shoalwater take on Bayswater City on Sunday afternoon at the Sam Kerr Football Centre (3:45pm) Bayswater were pipped for the Masters Over 45’s North Division One title, while Shoalwater romped to the Masters Over 45’s South Division One title, only losing twice, and finishing well clear of their nearest rivals, so it sets up an enthralling final with two good sides in action.
ROAD TO THE FINAL – Bayswater had a bye in the opening round, and in round of 32 they hosted Bassendean Caledonian, and a brace from Paul Lincoln, an absolute worldly from Victor Sikora and a Damien Todorovic strike sealed a 4-0 win. In round three they hit the road to play Leeming Strikers and sealed an 8-2 win, with Matthew Sparrow on fire bagging four, Todorovic with a hat-trick and Sal Marrapodi adding the other. Subiaco visited Frank Drago Reserve in quarterfinal, and Sparrow scored a brace, with others to Lincoln and Todorovic in a 4-0 win. That set up a semifinal against Joondalup City, and it was a tight affair, with Todd Howarth outstanding at centre half, and he was also on the scoresheet, along with Sparrow and Lincoln.
“To reach the final we have had to call on our entire squad of 24 players. None of my squad let us down. We are looking forward to the challenge against Shoalwater- The Kings of the South,” Bayswater coach Nick Dyer explained. “After the disappointing display last week, losing the league in our final game. my boys are extremely hungry for success and to finish on a high.”
ROAD TO THE FINAL -Shoalwater were comfortable winners in the round of 64, beating Sporting Warriors D2 8-2 at the Shoalwater Oval, helped by a hat-trick from Doug Hyde, and others from Floyd Duffy, David Milne, Richard Lacey, Liam Carey and Paul Duffy, before a 5-0 win against Woodville City D2 in the round of 32 with Hyde, Carey and Floyd Duffy again amongst the scorers. In the round of 16 they travelled to the UWA Sports Park, and beat UWA Nedlands 5-0, with Nathan Chapman bagging a hat-trick. In the quarter-finals they took on Chindits United D2 at Endeavour Homes Stadium, Larkhill Sportsplex, and a brace from Chapman and another from Carey gave them a 3-0 win. That set-up a semifinal against Perth Azzurri at the same venue, and goals from Milne, Carey, Paul Duffy, Lacey and Floyd Duffy, secured their place in the final with a 5-0 win.
“FC Shoalwater will head into Sunday’s Masters Cup Final against Bayswater as the underdogs, but we do so with confidence, belief and a remarkable Cup run behind them,” coach Richard Lacey said. “We are one of the smallest clubs in the Masters competition, and currently fields both a 45s team in South Division One and a 55s side, with both teams crowned league champions this season. Now, Bayswater stand between Shoalwater and Cup glory.
“Bayswater bring considerable professional experience and enter the Final as the expected favourites. For Shoalwater, however, the challenge is one they have embraced. With close to 100 travelling supporters expected, Shoalwater will look to make the occasion count and take the fight to Bayswater from the opening whistle. We know the Final could be decided in the middle of the park. Win that battle, take their chances and they believe they can give Bayswater plenty to think about. For one of the competition’s smallest clubs, it is a chance to create something special it’s David vs Goliath.”
