The Lions are Roaring after Dual wins in Bathurst

In weather more conducive to a surf lifesaving championship rather than a football tournament the girls from Sydney?s Inner West survived the rigours of the round robin format to successfully contest both Finals; Inter A competing in the Mitchell Cup Final whilst Inter B played in the Mitchell Shield Final.
The Mitchell Cup Final proved a tight affair with the local Arrive Alive NSW Super League team Western NSW Panthers providing the Inter Lions team with stout opposition. In a forerunner to what?s sure to be a competitive rivalry during the season proper, the two sides turned on an entertaining clash.
The Panthers football seemed the more structured early. Their passing game worked well and they were able to stretch the Inter defence on more than one occasion. However, meaningful shots on goal were few and far between with Inter?s keeper Tanie Rose Kelly rarely troubled. Inter?s attack floundered on some loose passing but when they did create danger it came through the silken skills of either midfielder Natalie Spirovksi or towering striker Renee Tompkins. Spirovski laid on a couple of wonderful passes in the first half but a combination of poor finishing and strong work in goals by Panthers keeper Sarah Hunt denied Inter Lions the chance to take the lead.
The Panthers defence was generally well organised. Holly Hays appeared to steering the good ship Western NSW well from midfield; being at the base of most of the Panthers attacking raids. Inter created a sparkling chance on the beak from a defensive corner when new recruit Dani Calvi brilliantly flicked a ball over the head of a defender before racing away to set up Claire Tyson for a shot on goal. However, Tyson?s shot on goal was only good enough to hit the side netting. Similarly, soon after, Spirovski produced another bit of magic which led to Tompkins hitting a stinging shot at goal which was parried over the bar by a leaping Sarah Hunt. Half time came with neither side having stirred the scoreboard attendant but the promise of plenty to come in the second stanza.
The second half saw Inter Lions create some solid opportunities. Good combination between Tompkins and Tyson saw the latter shoot wide. Soon after Tompkins was released by a well weighted through ball which saw her race into the Panthers box. Tompkins released a stunning shot but keeper Hunt produced a dazzling deflection which saved the day for the girls from Bathurst. Rosconi and Hays replied with their own opportunities for Western NSW but both shots were way off target. The second half become a string of attack on counter attacks as both sides battled hard to find a winner. However, the man in black blew his whistle to call full time with both sides still locked at nil all, necessitating extra time.
Fittingly, in the opening minutes of extra time, Renee Tompkins found space on the left and got around the defence. She raced towards goal, outpacing the cover before slotting away her shot past a despairing Hunt to give Inter Lions the title. A fitting final to what had been a wonderful weekend of football. Inter?s Natalie Spirovski, was named as Player of the Tournament.
The Macarthur Shield Final saw the Inter Lions B side take on club side North Sydney. The North Sydney girls had impressed throughout the tournament, culminating in a fine 2-0 win over Western Panthers B team in the semi final.
North Sydney matched Inter in the early exchanges but, after, great work from Inter Captain Samara Coiro led to Lisa Mitchell opening the scoring a combination of fitness, pace and how do I put this delicately, more youthful legs, told the tale in the match.
North Sydney put up a great effort. After going in 3-0 down at half time they produced the first goal of the second half from Judith Dechert. It was at this point though that the match became the ?Souhier Yatim Football Clinic?. The young Inter star dazzled her opponents with the sort of footwork and ball skills that would have had Ronaldo looking twice. Suddenly Yatim had a second half hat trick leaving a final score of 6-1. This didn?t reflect the fine performance of the North Sydney side but some consolation was forthcoming when their Captain Alison Kriegel was named Player of the Tournament for the Mitchell Shield.
Bathurst had turned on another fine weekend of women?s football, following on the great success of the Proctor Park Challenge a fortnight back. The teams who supported both tournaments are to be congratulated. Those who missed the boat this season need to seriously consider getting themselves to beautiful Bathurst for the 2010 version! A town like Bathurst, which shows it?s appreciation of girls/women?s football in hosting this annual tournament, is my kind of town. Well done to everyone associated with the staging of the Mitchell Cup and Mitchell Shield.
-By Ross Anderson