Bobcats make history | Northern Rivers Soccer | Football in Northern Rivers

21st September 2009

HISTORY called and the Maclean Bobcats answered when they overcame the Coffs United Lions to win the North Coast Football First Division grand final 2-1 in an enthralling encounter at BCU Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

In doing so the Bobcats became the first and only team to have won the premier league in both the North Coast (Coffs/Clarence based) and Far North Coast (Lismore/Ballina based) premier league divisions to underline the brilliance of a generation of home-grown talent.

Against the previously undefeated Lions, the Bobcats could not have started better when they hit the lead after just two minutes in a grand final played in front of a generous and parochial crowd.

A series of one-touch passes down the left-hand side finished when Travis Armstrong whipped in a cross that was met by a determined Fraser Robinson who slotted in the Bobcats' first goal to give the Maclean side a dream start.

From there the Bobcats were riding roughshod over their more favoured rivals and the Lions had no answer to the Bobcats' movement and passing game and only the brilliance of their goalkeeper kept the score respectable.

A handball in the box provided an opportunity for Kevin Crofton to double the Bobcats' lead mid way through the first half and when they went to the break at 2-0 it was the least they deserved.

In reality score flattered the Lions at half time as the Bobcats had hit the woodwork three times and Coffs goalkeeper Josh Wiseman was in inspired form, making five saves that seemed destined for the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Bobcats keeper Graeme Courte was looking equally assured but was only called upon to pluck the occasional cross out of the air.

The Lions are renowned for their fighting spirit and came out in the second half prepared to once again run the Bobcats down.

Within 10 minutes of the restart they pulled a goal back when they scrambled the ball over the line and the Bobcats' faithful were fearing the worst as Coffs threatened to make another second-half comeback.

But to a man the Bobcats dug deep and continued to create chances of their own only to see Wiseman between the sticks continue on from his outstanding first-half performance and keep the Clarence side at bay.

The final 10 minutes could only be described as frantic.

Coffs threw everything at the Bobcats as the game was heading to its finale but inspired by their vocal supporters the Maclean side was not to be denied as they held on for a memorable, deserved and historic grand final victory.

Truth be known, the most outstanding player on the pitch was the Lions keeper Wiseman, who kept the scoreline respectable, because without his effort it could have been an absolute blow out.

For the Bobcats it was a brilliant team effort and it almost seems unfair to single any player out as their man of the match.

If you had to, it was the engine room of Crofton, Aaron Bylos and Dane Ellis who all got stuck in and inspired the Bobcats to their history-making victory.

With a number of retirements and other players leaving the area, the Bobcats now look to the future and the future looks good.

The FFNC Summer Youth League will be used to blood and further develop their next crop of youngsters, but the nucleus of the 2009 premiership-winning outfit will be up and ready to defend their title in 2010.

SCORES 4th Div Men Westlawn Panthers v Corindi Red Rock TBA 3rd Div Men Dorrigo Highlanders v Grafton City TBA 2nd Div Men Yamba Breakers 2 d Sawtell Scorpions 0 2nd Div Women Urunga Raiders 2 d Maclean Bobcats 1 Youth Div Coffs City Utd Lions v Westlawn Tigers TBA 1st Div Women Urunga Raiders v Corindi Red Rock TBA 1st Div Men Maclean Bobcats 2 d Coffs City United 1

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