https://youtu.be/kf2-JNb--_o
Riverside Olympic fought back from a 3-1 deficit to claim a 3-3 draw with Clarence Zebras in a pulsating clash at Windsor Park on Saturday afternoon. A Riley Dillon brace had the visitors on track for all three points before a quick reply from Fletcher Fulton and late Tom Prince strike stole back a point for the hosts.
It was Riverside who took the early lead when Matt Spanos tapped home from close range after some clever play from Nil Sanz on the left hand side. The skillful Spaniard stole the ball and forged the opportunity to see Olympic striking from their first chance of the match.
That seemed to jump start the Clarence Zebras and they threatened to get back on terms with a trio of half chances coming in the net 15 minutes, with Hill making a good stop to deny what would've been a stunning volleyed goal from Luke Huigsloot.
Riverside then had the ball in the back of the net again following a goal line scramble but before Aaron Campbell could wheel away in celebration, the referee had blown his whistle for a foul to rule it out. It seemed a harsh call on the hosts and it was one they would be left to rue just before the break as Clarence got back on terms.
Moments before half time, Riley Dillon switched it to Pace who knocked it back first time to Jake Thompson, who had stormed forwards from full back and from just outside the box he let fly with a low drive that flew past a diving Hill to level it up. It was a harsh turn of events given the ruled out goal, but on balance of play the visitors would feel justified in being level at the break.
The second half saw the Zebras doing the bulk of the early attacking in the opening quarter of an hour before the game exploded into life at the hour mark.
Riley Dillon put his side ahead on 59 minutes, finishing off a nice move from the right hand side between Pace and the previous goal scorer, Thompson who continued his strong game with an assist, crossing deep to Dillon who showed good composure to settle it down and slide it between the keepers legs from close range.
Minutes later and Dillon had two as a route one blast from the goalkeeper Jones saw him running in behind the defence and finishing first time into the far corner to make it 3-1.
Riverside didn't drop their heads and conjured a quick response as Fletcher Fulton made a well timed run and finished nicely, with Sanz again the provider, this time slicing the defence apart with a lovely through ball.
Substitute James Ackerley had a golden chance to ice the game on 72 minutes when he had a free header 3 yards out, but with the goals at his mercy he nodded over the crossbar.
Riverside made them pay for that miss as Tom Prince squared the game back up 10 minutes later. A cross from the tireless Jasper King on the right hand side found Prince who snuck in between the goalkeeper and centre back to poke home from close range and setup the grandstand finish.
Neither side would find a late winner, with Mackenzie Hancox coming closest with his powerful blast in the final minute of the game saved comfortably enough by Jones.
It saw the game ending 3-3 and both sides having to content themselves with a point that will leave both sides sitting on 5 points, in sixth and seventh place on the table as we reach the halfway mark of the season.