The Glenorchy Knights have opened their season with a win, putting away Olympia Warriors in a lacklustre round one affair at KGV. Alex Walter scored the game's only goal in the second period. It was a respectable crowd, but unfortunately not many goals or notable actions took place.
Olympia started four debutants, with 17-year-old Ben Tilley getting the captain's armband on debut.
New faces Jake Hayers, Matt Bomford and Bilal Hit Maamar also all started. The Knights went into the match at full strength, with Tyler Harrison and Lucas Hill starting.
It was an end-to-end first half, with both sides having chances. Olympia elected to sit back deeper which Knights were unable to break down. Glenorchy's Connor Schmidt scrambled a corner clear off the line before the break. Nic Naden received the first yellow of the game early in the second half. Nic Mearns nearly got the opening goal soon after but it just shaved the outside of the far post.
Alex Walter finally got the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, weaving around Olympia’s defence with ease before hitting his shot into the top right corner. Olympia had a last gasp chance from Joseph Mwarabu but his effort sailed over Knights goalkeeper Lachlan Hart.
“I thought our game management was really poor the last 20 minutes,” Glenorchy coach James Sherman said after the final whistle.
“It should be five or six today, no one can deny that but I’d like to think the quality of our chance creation would be the higher standard. Disappointed how we defended the last 20 minutes, decision making in the front third on how we get going to expose them, was poor.
“That left us vulnerable on the counter attack on many occasions.”
Glenorchy with 3 points in the bag will now play the Clarence Zebras next Saturday, while Olympia will host Riverside at Warrior Park.
Match report by Tanner Coad.