Devastation arose throughout Buckby Land Rover Park as Launceston City conceded late in their clash with the Olympia Warriors. It was a tight affair that became very scrappy as the game went on, but it was an 86th-minute goal from substitute Jonathan Mulungula that was the difference between the two sides.
The first half was particularly even, with neither side being able to break through and get an opener. City looked especially comfortable early on despite not controlling possession. Olympia held the ball well but were unable to make that breakthrough play to put them in the lead. The home side looked happy to seek their chances through a more direct style of football and were rewarded with more shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Lino Sciulli employed a tactical shift at half time that saw City switch to three at the back in an attempt to counteract Olympia's style of play. In his first game back from injury, import Patrick Sullivan was brought on to slot alongside Millington and Turner in the heart of defence.
Despite being under the pump throughout the second half, the trio held strong with help from their goalkeeper. Lachlan Clark put in another impressive performance between the sticks off the back of his incredible display against the Hobart Zebras. Gaining praise from both coaches in the post-match interviews, Clark is developing into one of the competitions leading shot-stoppers. If he can keep up these performances then surely City will not be dwelling near the bottom for long.
With just five minutes left to play it was looking like it was going to be the first goalless draw of the NPL Tasmania season. However, a moment of sloppiness at the back meant that all of City's hard work would come undone with a goal for the Warriors through Mulungula. The substitute's goal not only gave Olympia the win but also sent them top of the table for at least a short period of time.
Despite being winless in their opening six matches, Launceston City can take solace in how they have been performing in recent weeks. City take on Clarence, the only other winless side in the competition, at Wentworth Park next week. While Olympia will be playing their third game in the space of a week against the Kingborough Lions on Wednesday night.
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