A brace and assist from Jack Ryan fired the Olympia Warrriors to a 3-1 win over Riverside and saw them advance through to the Lakoseljac Cup Semi Finals. All three Warrior goals came in a 10 minute flurry leading into half time, and despite Davis'cutting the lead, the Roos never looked like hauling in the deficit.
Riverside offered up a strong resistance in the opening 30 minutes, defending stoutly and coming in with a clear game plan they were trying to implement. They succeding in causing some problems at the back for Olympia with their pressing, whilst Olner and O'Neill were leading a stout rearguard at the other end of the pitch in a pretty even opening to the game.
But the match would be turned on its head just before half time as Jack Ryan sprung to life and took over the game.
He setup Bay Kurtz for the opening goal with a moment of ingenuity, laying the backheel into the path of the onrushing American who crashed his finish home with power to make it 1-0.
Moments later and Ryan had doubled the advantage, as a long ball was clipped over the top of the Riverside back four. Prince got a touch on it, but that only served to cushion it perfectly for Ryan, who deftly lobbed it over Hill and into the back of the net.
Ryan then went one better when he unleashed a howitzer with the left foot from long range, smashing one that flew past a despairing Hill at full extension to make it 3-0 and all but seal the match.
Riverside never looked like they had 3 goals in them and Olympia seemed to share that viewpoint as they hardly overextended themselves in the second half.
They did manage to pull one back when Sam Davis mishit an initial shot, but had a second crack to fire one which Mcdonald managed to get a hand on, but couldn’t keep it out.
But that was as close as they would get in a second half largely devoid of scoring chances as it came to an end at 3-1.
Riverside can be pleased with an improved performance after a tough trip down last time around, whilst Olympia will be glad to have booked their Semi Final spot, and can now look ahead to their top of the table NPL fixture with Devonport next Saturday afternoon.
https://youtu.be/f0P_GC1MA4M