https://youtu.be/aFQxne-JVmc
The Olympia Warriors beat Clarence in comfortable fashion at Wentworth Park, producing a 6-0 win over their Eastern Shore rivals. Jack Ryan, Joffrey N'Koso and Nick Mearns all scored braces in what proved was an easy afternoon for second placed Olympia, as they closed the gap on ladder leaders Devonport Strikers to 2 points.
Clarence came into the clash under pressure after last week's 10-0 loss to Glenorchy Knights. They started the better, enjoying some possession in the final third and causing some nervous moments for Olympia in the opening few minutes however it was short-lived as Jordan Scott delivered a pin point corner that Nick Mearns calmly nodded home in the sixth minute. Despite being on the back foot early on, their first foray forward lead to the set-piece that set the tone for the game.
In the 14th minute Olympia doubled their lead as Mulungula crossed to NKoso who had found space in the middle of the box. After a settling touch he slotted home past Dyson however the assist from Mulungula came at a cost as he re-injured his hamstring and was substituted as a result.
After several Olympia attacks, they again found the net through Jack Ryan in the 26th minute who parked his shot in the top right corner from the opposite end of the box. It took Ryan a little while to get involved in the match but once he did he looked threatening time and time again as his next chance came from a rushed Clarence goal kick that fell to his feet. Ryan played in N'Koso who looked certain to score but the offside flag was raised.
Jack Ryan then looked to score again with a vicious effort that had the beating of Dyson but it wasn't meant to be as it rattled the crossbar and bounced away harmlessly. He only had to wait until the 44th minute to get his second however as he beat Price to a Kurtz cross and gave Olympia a 4-0 lead heading into the break.
The second half started in much the same way for Olympia as Mearns and Scott struck the woodwork twice in the opening five minutes. Mearns hit a curling effort from 18 yards out that rattled the bar and then it was Scott who had Clarence worried from a free kick that bounced off the frame. Mearns made no mistake in the 60th minute when he scored his second goal and well and truly buried the game, this time his curling 18-yard effort settled in the net despite Dyson getting fingertips to the goal-bound strike.
Olympia made the most of their dominance in the final 30 minutes with plenty of chances and a lot of possession in the final third but they only managed one more goal as Lucas Hill pressed on into attack and played a delightful ball into the feet of N'Koso. The Olympia striker utilised his fine form and placed a finessed shot into the bottom corner to score the visitor's sixth.
As the game was brought to an end it means Olympia are only two points shy of Devonport Strikers in top spot, however the Strikers have a game in hand as they will be in cup final action on Monday against South Hobart. Clarence remain on the bottom of the ladder with a lone victory to their name.