Young Stirling star Ludo Boi claimed the man of the match award after he tormented the Athena defence all afternoon and his 32nd minute strike proved to be the winner.

The match began at a frantic pace with two goals in just the opening four minutes of play.

A long Scott Muirhead throw from the left travelled towards the far post where Stirling striker Phil Arnold was on hand to nod the ball into the back of the net to give the Lions a dream start in the first minute.

Their lead didn't last long as Stirling inadvertently scored an own goal, before Boi dazzled the bumper crowd with a wonderful solo effort.

Despite their possession dominance, the Lions failed to capitalise with Mario Marcinko missing two clear-cut chances to add to Stirling's lead.

Floreat pushed hard throughout the second half to pull off a late equaliser to send the match into extra time but failed to beat Stirling goalkeeper James Turvill who was outstanding all day.

Stirling coach Paul Lincoln was thrilled with his team's performance against quality opposition in Athena.

"All in all, you need everyone performing and the boys were fantastic today," he said.

"I thought at half time we should have been 4-1 up but we didn't add to our lead and to Floreat's credit they really gave us grief in those last 15 minutes.

"But that's football, very happy to get the result and hopefully that's one out of three (trophies)."

In the Under 18's Cup Final, Perth SC prevailed on penalties to beat Cockburn City and ECU Joondalup were 2-1 winners over Armadale in the Reserves decider.

Match details:

Floreat Athena 1 (OG 4')
Stirling Lions 2 (Arnold 1', Boi 32')

2010 State League Cup Final

Frank Drago Reserve, Bayswater
Attendance: 2,621

Referee: Mathew Cheeseman

 

STARTING LINE-UPS

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 2 Jarrad SMITH, 4 Julian MADASCHI, 6 Miki VUJACIC, 8 Adam BACHILLER, 9 David NIEDERBERGER, 10 Jason BARRERA, 12. Branimir MIKULIC, 14. Mo ATAK, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 17 Ante KOVACEVIC
SUBS: RGK Jakub CHUDY, 11 Johnny MIRCO, 13 Johnny MIGAS, 15 Paul VATISTAS 

STIRLING LIONS: GK James TURVILL, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 3 Scott MUIRHEAD, 6 Paul DICKSON, 7 Tom INGRAM, 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Mario MARCINKO, 10 Shane ROBINSON,12 Ludo BOI, 14 Phil ARNOLD, 15 Matt STARES
SUBS: RGK. Anthony SALPIETRO, 5 Dennis GALAN, 11 Stef FROST, 16 Dave SESAY, 17 Ndumba MUKECHIE