Inter Lions Win Mitchell Cup without conceding a goal
Despite the wet conditions at Proctor Park (Bathurst), the lions moved the ball brilliantly, finding gaps in the Panthers defence and keeping their opposition from causing any real threat throughout the match.
As early as the fifth minute the champions had struck the Panther?s upright through a strong Brooke Sturrett shot and from there the pressure mounted.
It took just 10 minutes for Inter Lions to find themselves on the scoreboard thanks to an amazing long range strike. A well worked move on the left hand side allowed Temika Wearing to find space 20 yards from the Western NSW goal. Seeing the Panther?s goalkeeper off her line, Wearing fired a blistering shot catching everyone by surprise.
With Caitlin Jarvie and Renee Tomkins causing continuous problems for the Panther?s defence, the Lions almost snatched a second as Jarvie saw her attempt hit the cross bar from 18 yards out.
Although Western NSW did try and penetrate forward, the Lion?s defence proved too strong time and time again.
Hitting the target no less than six times, Inter Lions continued the pressure after the interval. Western NSW goalkeeper, Sarah Hunt, was exceptional with her handling.
As the match continued, Inter Lions were able to spread the ball throughout the field with pin point passing and some brilliant individual play. Tomkins almost double the lead when she picked up the ball deep in her own half and carried it over 60 yards before seeing her shot just edge over the Panther?s crossbar.
Defending with all their might, Western NSW were able to find themselves with a chance as a free kick was awarded for dangerous play just outside the 18 yard box with minutes left of play. However, as the ball blasted into the Lion?s wall the final whistle blew shortly after.
Inter Lions? coach was happy with his team?s performance praising them for their effort throughout the tournament.
?The girls had a good tournament and I thought the final was a great game for us,? he said.
?We only had 12 players for the final and it was clear that they were heavy underfoot, not to mention we had about four key players out.?
?This gives us an excellent idea for the upcoming season,? he added.
With a goal difference of nine after five games across two days, the Inter Lions have sent a clear message to the rest of the Premier League teams this year.
**The Mitchell Cup is an annual All Age Ladies State League pre-season tournament which consists of teams from both Premier and Super League.
Inter Lions: Road to the Final (1st in Group)
Inter Lions vs East NSW Lions 4-0
Inter Lions vs Western NSW Panthers 3-0
Inter Lions vs Gladesville Ravens 1-0
Inter Lions vs Blacktown Spartans 1-0
Western NSW Panthers FC: Road to the Final (2nd in Group)
Panthers vs Gladesville Ravens 1-0
Panthers vs Inter Lions 0-3
Panthers vs Blacktown Spartans 2-0
Panthers vs East NSW Lions 1-0
-By Caetano Lima
