The Olympia Warriors have produced an emphatic performance to down Clarence 9-0 at Warrior Park.
Jack Ryan topped the goal scorers list with four goals, whilst Joffery Nkoso also grabbed a hat-trick. Second half substitute Brayton Allan was also on hand to bury two chances, in what was an overall dominant performance from the home side.
The game began with instant action after Olympia won the ball from Clarence’s kick off. This saw Ben Curtis play a long ball through to Nkoso, who in turn played a great ball across the box to find Jack Ryan. The Englishman then made no mistake, putting the home side 1-0 up under a minute into the game.
The Warriors then continued to push for another goal, with Nkoso, Scott and Vandermey each creating chances. However, the visiting side held strong, not letting the home side get through on goal. Yet, this strength did not last long, with the Warriors breaking through again in the 17th minute.
The Warriors won a corner and it was Jordan Scott over the ball. Scott whipped in a good ball that was left to run by a teammate. This leave then saw the ball land right at the feet of Jack Ryan, who was on hand to score his second goal, and double his sides lead.
Olympia remained in control of the contest in the minutes that followed, with Clarence goalkeeper Jake French producing solid saves in the 19th and 20th minutes to keep his side in the game. Slowly, Clarence began to fight their way back into the contest, with some good possession through Voss and Randall down the left wing. Price and Lange then produced a solid defensive effort for the visitors in order to keep out a Warriors attack. Clarence then had a number of shots themselves, with both Cannamela and Moynihan failing to convert.
Approach half time, Jake Vandermey found himself running down the side of the box, he cut it back to Ryan who was in the right position, completing his hat trick and putting the Warriors 3-0 up. Chances then fell to both sides but neither could convert, with the half time score reading Olympia 3, Clarence 0.
The second half began much like the first, with Olympia creating a number of early chances. Clarence’s defence held strong, however they were soon broken down when a wayward Clarence pass rolled out for a corner. Jordan Scott stood over the dead ball, and his cross flew into the box onto the head of Joffrey Nkoso. The youngster headed well, burying the chance to put the Warriors 4-0 up.
Just four minutes later and Nkoso had another, after some good passing around the box for the Warriors led to the ball rolling to Jono Ladic. He played it across the box to Nkoso, who fired home, scoring his second and seeing the score move to 5-0.
On the hour mark, Cannamela found Moynihan in the middle, who found a free Reibell. But Reibell skied his shot over the bar in what was a good chance for the visiting side. Not long after this and Nkoso produced another wonderful run, but his chipped attempt on goal sailed over the bar.
Just four minutes after Nkoso’s chipped attempt, the Warriors had found another, with Jack Ryan hitting home. Ryan’s fourth was set up by Jono Ladic, with the Warriors number five whipping in a quality ball. This pass, followed by a powerful strike by Ryan proved too much for Jake French, with Olympia extending their lead to 6-0.
It wasn’t long after that Nkoso found the back of the net for the third time. This strike can be greatly credited to Nick Mearns, whose long ball was rolling goal-ward. Nkoso then slammed the ball into the back of the net, completing his hat-trick and moving the score to 7-0.
With the game won, the Warriors brought Brayton Allan off the bench for a run out and the substitute had a great impact. Alan managed to find himself on goal in the 78th minute, before finding himself on the end of a good cross in the 86th. The substitute made no mistake from either chance, slotting a double and making the score 9-0 in the process. This was how the score would remain, with Olympia running out comfortable 9-0 victors.
Speaking post-match, Olympia Assistant Coach Andy Tye was happy with his side’s performance from “a goal perspective” but “from a process perspective” he believed they had a bit to work on. He identified that his side may have to find a different avenue to goal after winning, but converting a large number of corners.
Clarence Coach Warren Burt thought his side were a lot more competitive at times. He believes his side can now move the ball a lot better but admitted conceding nine goals is “not a pretty sight”.
Olympia will look to continue their good form as they travel north on the weekend, clashing with Launceston City on Saturday, 4:30pm at Buckby Land Rover Park. Meanwhile Clarence have a weekend off.
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