The Olympia F.C Warriors have all but secured the 2020 Women's Super League title, as they overcame Clarence Zebras 1-0 at Warrior Park to move 8 points clear on top of the table. A lone strike from the competition's leading scorer Bonnie Davies was all that separated the teams, and means an Olympia side who haven't dropped points to any other side in the competition, now just need 4 points from their final three games to officially secure the WSL crown.
Previous 1-0 score lines between the pair during the regular season promised a tight encounter and no-one would leave disappointed. Greek music rang out from Warrior Park pre-kick off, setting the tone. On the pitch, the intensity arrived from kick off and permeated the match.
Immediately Clarence Zebras showed they meant business when Zara Dixon rose above the pack to meet the ball from a corner. The centre back’s header unable to find the purchase to redirect the shot on target, inevitably becoming an omen of things to come.
The Warriors took a moment to work themselves into the match, with a mixture of opposition pressure and nerves seeing simple passes unusually wayward. Looking to capitalise, Clarence continued with the aerial route, with Zoe Nichols turning in Madi O’Brien’s cross to the hands of the keeper.
The Warriors worked themselves into the half and the first real threat arrived in the 16th minute when Davies forced a strong save at the near post. Within a minute both sides had free kicks in potentially dangerous areas. In the 20th, O’Brien had the opportunity to send in a cross to a hungry pack that amounted to nothing before Olympia broke and earned a free kick within shooting range, only for Bomford to hit it low to a waiting Shelley Cook’s hands.
A game changing moment arrived in the 22nd minute when Zoe Nichols beat the offside trap chasing a ball in on goal. Meeting the forward, Jenna Farrow took out Nichols to concede a penalty. The trusted Selina Steventon stood up for the spot kick, only for Farrow to make amends, pulling out the save to deny the Zebras the opener.
Confidence grew for the home side off the back of the second chance. The Warriors began to find a balance between long balls and carrying the ball, following sustained Clarence pressure and the change up worked.
Chances were beginning to fall at the feet of Davies thick and fast. The offside flag and a last ditch, lunging effort had already thwarted Davies but finally on the 34th minute a breakthrough arrived.
A pin-point pass from Leah Gubb on the right hand side sprung Davies who had made a well-timed run, producing a snap one touch finish powerfully into the bottom corner. The goal celebration was pure exuberance from the league's top scorer and it left the Clarence Zebras needing to chase goals.
Looking for a quick reply, the tenacious Danielle Kannegiesser led the Zebras charge for an immediate equaliser. Scrappy defending by the Warriors would be enough to suffocate those hopes of a quick reply however.
With the half time break looming, Mia Cane slotted Davies through for another 1v1 with the keeper. The goalscorer attempted patience, rather than replicate her earlier first time finish goal. Cook stood up tall under pressure and conjured an incredible save, keeping the deficit at the end at the half to the sole goal.
The Clarence Zebras arrived in the second half with the intent to attack, with some personnel positional changes and more brewing. Clarence gained the early territory and they made the first opportunity five minutes into the half as a wild shot by Allie Berry sailed over the bar.
Meanwhile Olympia worked the counters quickly, finding more success off the long balls. Bronte Gadon’s persistent terrier-like work in the middle of the park kept a lid on much of Olympia’s direct midfield creativity.
Opportunities at either end of the pitch were hard to come by, without any particular 'drop everything in excitement' moments. One such moment did happen to arrive with 15 minutes left in the match.
Olympia had moments prior decided to reinforce their defensive personnel, shifting from 3 to 4 defenders. This move would look conservative when Clarence Zebras deployed their wild card. Alyssa Bowden, donned in a goalkeepers outfit, was waiting at the middle to be subbed on. Instead of a like-for-like replacement, defender Steventon was taken off the pitch, as the gloves came off for Cook.
The Zebras regular goalkeeper joined an already four pronged attack as the losing side threw everything and the kitchen sink to try turn the tables. Cook added an extra body, movement and she produced couple strikes but there would be no fairytale, though she did come closest to scoring when her 86th minute volley drew a good save from Farrow.
Olympia’s defence had battened down the hatches, prepared to give away corners, but few clear goal opportunities and when the full time whistle rang out, the full time score was a repeat of round 9.
A Davies goal was the difference in this tight affair, one which has more than likely has decided the destination of the WSL title. Barring anything calamitous in the final few weeks, the title is headed to Warrior Park.
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