Ulverstone produced a vintage display to inflict Olympia’s first defeat of the WSL season. The open ended affair showed no signs of the caginess that was on show in the season’s earlier encounter at Valley Road. As Ulverstone’s high press was too much for the Olympia defence to handle. A penalty finished by Jazmin White and second half goal by Lucy Foote secured the win for the home side.
Early in the piece, Olympia were the side to press high up the park. Their organisation and execution saw a few shaky moments early by the Ulverstone keeper and her defence while in possession. However the tables would quickly turn, with the away side unable to keep the early momentum going. After the initial spook, Ulverstone moved the ball around to produce a number of quick transitions, working their way out of the Warrior’s press with ease to go on and create some havoc of their own.
Rather than a goal created from the chaos both sides early press were causing, it was a penalty to open the scoring. The result of a corner, with some elbows flying in the box, the referee pointed to the spot with conviction to indicate a foul had taken place in the area. Ulverstone weren’t going to miss two penalties in two games. This time it was White who stood up to take the kick. Jenna Farrow picked the right side to dive at, but the ball was hit into the back of the net with conviction.
Always looking for the quick reply, the Warriors went searching from the re-start. However an opportunity going over the crossbar and a wayward, yet spectacular attempt at a bicycle kick were the best they could muster as Ulverstone’s defence weathered the brief storm.
The Reds had an opportunity soon after to double their lead, with White again down the right flank terrorising the defence. Chasing the long ball, the Red’s forward had a second bite of the cherry, able to put the ball across the face of goal after initially being denied. Danielle Mitchell was unable to make a proper connection however, and Raffaella Puli was on the goal line to clear the danger.
Half time came and went with Ulverstone looking the more dominant of the sides, able to utilise their quick forwards best and stamp their style of play in the midfield more successfully.
Some early, long range shots were all the Warriors could find after the restart. Rather it was Ulverstone who came out looking to seal the deal. The combination of Amy Bissett and White had caused the Warriors centre back duo a headache for most of the game, but it was Lucy Foote who broke through. Farrow was able to block an initial shot, but Foote found the follow up to see the ball into the net.
Fifty minutes into the match and the Reds found themselves with a two goal cushion. Some tough challenges and half chances followed for both sides. A misunderstanding at the back for Ulverstone provided Heather Russell with an open goal. However the Warriors forward wasn’t prepared for the opportunity and couldn’t keep her shot low enough to get under the bar. Up the other end White and Bissett continued to combine to create chances, but just couldn’t find the right opportunity in front of the net to really bury the game.
In an attempt to find answers, Olympia changed things up with twenty minutes to go. Unfortunately moving their fullback in Puli to centre forward produced the same result as the previous three number nines used throughout the game in the role, which was a lack of any real threat.
It was Ulverstone who finished the stronger of the sides. Putting in the full 90 minutes, the Reds were on the front foot searching for a final nail in the coffin. However despite some looks at Goal, the 2-0 scoreline was there to stay.
The 2-0 defeat was the first loss for Olympia in the league this season and suggests Ulverstone are finding their form again. The Reds were able to create their chances, and slot them home. While the Warriors put up a fight but couldn’t get control of the match or find a way to create anything to seriously threaten the goal.