Report by Football West
Fremantle City and Bayswater City served up another Men’s State Cup final classic on Saturday with Freo coming out on top 3-2 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
An enthralling game was decided by an 87th minute penalty as the Hilton Park club lifted the trophy for the first time as Fremantle City.
It was the ideal way for Scott Miller’s team to round off a memorable season, less than a year after they only avoided relegation via the play-offs.
The result was naturally disappointing for New Balance NPL champions Bayswater, who missed out on a first State Cup since 2014. But Matt Sparrow and his side can take plenty from their performance heading into this Friday’s Top Four Cup major semi-final against Olympic Kingsway.
Bayswater began the stronger and Jon Corness brought a diving save out of Freo keeper Luke Radonich. Then in the 33rd minute they went in front. A foul on Daniel Stynes saw Baysie awarded a free-kick just outside the Fremantle area. Declan Hughes’ curling effort pinged the woodwork and came out to the edge of the box, where Stynes met it with the truest of right-footed half-volleys. The ball flew past Radonich and went in off the underside of the bar.
To Fremantle’s credit, they continued to work their way back into the match and were level in first-half stoppage time. Josh Risdon did well down the left before passing to Taj Bingwa near the penalty spot and he swivelled before shooting high beyond Lewis Italiano.
Freo showed their fighting spirit throughout their run to the last 16 of the Hahn Australia Cup and it was on display again here. They went in front for the first time on 65 minutes and once more Risdon was involved. He crossed from the right, substitute Michael Domfeh headed down and Chad Nilson squeezed his shot home at the back post.
To nobody’s surprise, back came Bayswater and they were level within three minutes. Brent Quick went down the right and sent in a deep centre which former Fremantle striker Oli La Galia calmly side-footed across goal for Cameron Teece to tap in.
Both teams continued to go all out for the winner. Then with extra-time beckoning and just three minutes of normal time to play, Fremantle were awarded a penalty. Nilson, an astute summer signing from Inglewood United, was tripped by Baysie skipper Luke Palmateer and Charlie Chechlacz, the 2025 NPL Gold Medal winner, sent Italiano the wrong way from the spot.
Football West Chair Sherif Andrawes presented the Stan Lazaridis Medal for Player of the Match to former Socceroos and A-League star Risdon, whose influence since joining Freo mid-season has been a big factor in their rise.
“It was crucial for us to get one right before half-time and it gave us a little momentum. And then, it’s probably just a battle in that second half,” Risdon said.
“I feel like it’s only the start for this group.
“The club has got a real family feel and everyone’s so welcoming. Not only have they welcomed me but welcomed my family. My boys absolutely love coming to the games. Everyone’s super friendly and having a good time, but also putting the work in.”
On head coach Miller, who worked with Risdon when he was at Glory’s Academy, the 34-year-old said: “He’s great. He was a big reason why I came here. He’s very relaxed and creates a good environment within the squad. He fully deserves this medal, and Dale [Dale Wingell, Miller’s assistant].”
This was the fourth Men’s State Cup final in the last five that has finished 3-2 and one that will live long in the memory.
- Olympic Kingsway won the Men’s State Reserves Cup, beating Joondalup City 1-0 in the final. Luka Harvey scored the only goal in the first half.
- Stirling Macedonia beat Perth Glory on penalties to clinch the Men’s State U18s Cup. The match finished 1-1 at full-time, Luca Poli’s 67th minute opener for Stirling cancelled out by a late goal by Hedassiea Tesfay.
