A brace from English front-man Jack Ryan has helped guide the Olympia to a 2-1 victory over the Glenorchy Knights in the opening game of the 2020 Summer Cup. Ryan nodded them into the lead in the first half, before a rapid fire second half response by the way of Ryan Backhouse restored parity for Knights. But the Warriors seized control of the game late on and Ryan blasted home a second after being put through by Warren Wadawu to secure the win.
The game was played in extremely hot conditions, with the mercury still hitting 33 degrees at kick off despite the 8:30 kick off time. It certainly impacted the tempo of the game late in each half, but for the most part the players handled the trying conditions well.
The first half saw the Warriors winning the territorial battle, but struggling to create clear cut chances despite a wave of attacks. A lot of this play was directed down the left wing, where the pacey Jackson Khasif was a constant outlet and had a running battle with Jack Bowman, who defended his flank but was under constant pressure. The Warriors deployed a back three in this game, to maximise the attacking capabilities of the Khasif/Gorrie duo.
Olympia's most dangerous moments came not from open play, but set pieces however, where the Knights looked shaky defending the high ball and it was no surprise this was how the opening goal was forged. A corner swung in by Gorrie was allowed to bounce in the box, and it popped up to Jack Ryan who calmly nodded home the opener.
The Knights had a couple of good chances from sharp counter-attacks, but were unable to get back on terms before the half time break, Darby Randall denying Nowicki with a sharp piece of keeping.
The Knights wasted little time in the second half though, Nick Naden storming down the right wing in the opening minutes before delivering a pinpoint cross to an unmarked Ryan Backhouse who duly headed home.
Backhouse really grew into the game in the second half, as his influence saw the Knights controlling the early goings and if not for some nice work by Jake Vandermey getting back to clear his lines with the keeper beaten, they would have taken the lead.
They would come to rue not finding that second goal, as Olympia worked their way back on top, and having been denied by a brilliant goal line block from George Hallard earlier, they would eventually find a late winner.
Running the game out stronger, Warren Wadawu, who was impactful from the subs bench, swung a lovely ball over the top and released Jack Ryan in behind. Charging into the left hand side of the box, the striker was not going to pass as he did from a similar position earlier in the half, this time driving a powerful shot between the legs of the keeper.
With just five minutes to play, the Warriors saw the game out despite a half chance falling to Schmidt in the dying embers for the Knights. The full time whistle of Bobby Madley rang out and the Warriors took the 2-1 win.
Whilst the game was scrappy at times, that was to be largely expected given the combination of new players, the heat and frequent substitutions throughout the second half. Both coaches will walk away with plenty of encouraging signs, and some areas to work on as the pre-season games continue throughout February.
https://youtu.be/OOycxnnfUlI