With both teams sitting in the top four of the APB State Premier League and still in with a chance of winning the title, they both have a guaranteed chance of tasting silverware this season in Sunday's final.

 

Both teams have shown their defensive class in the competition conceding just one goal with Stirling Lions scoring 18 goals, while Floreat Athena have scored an astounding 22 goals.

 

Floreat Athena's run to the final started with an 8-0 thrashing of Gosnells City in the first round, a 5-1 defeat of Ashfield SC, a third round victory of fellow Premier League side Sorrento and finally a 6-0 drumming of Armadale in the Semi Finals.

 

Stirling Lions' campaign on the other hand started with a 10-1 win against APB State Division One strugglers Queens Park, followed by a 2-0 victory over Mandurah City, a quarter final win against Balcatta and a semi final victory against Swan United.

 

Floreat Athena under first year coach Ante Kovacevic will be looking to make it two Cup Finals in successive years after defeating Inglewood United last year 3-1 in the decider.

 

Kovacevic's side sits fourth in the league and will be confident going into this weekend's fixture with a 2-1 defeat and 1-1 draw against Stirling this season.

 

"It's going to be a tight game and I will be looking for all my players to play well if we are going to win the game," said Kovacevic.

 

The key players for Athena this weekend will be goalkeeper Alex Dunn, influential midfielder Jason Barrera, and key forwards Branimir Mikulic and Daniel Niederberger, who will need to continue their goal scoring form.

 

Stirling Lions will be hoping history does not repeat itself with Athena winning both Cup Final encounters between the two in 1987 and 1997.

 

"They have the wood over us in the final, so you would say they are favourites," said Stirling coach Paul Lincoln.

 

"It's going to be a tight game and we are really looking forward to it."

 

Several of Lincoln's key players are under injury clouds with former Notts County junior Bobby Wilson and Jason Gavin in a race to be fit for the kick off, while Roberto Lujan has been ruled out.

 

The key players for Stirling Lions for the weekend will be goalkeeper James Turvill, captain Shane Robinson and key striker Mario Marcinko who have all been influential in their successful run.

 

Words - Geoff Mason

 

Photo courtesy Alan McDonald.