The Olympia Warriors put a chaotic week behind them and claimed a 2-1 win over South Hobart in their Saturday night NPL TAS clash. With Alex Holmes in charge of the side following Andrew Brown's midweek dismissal, the Warriors recovered from an early Nick Morton goal to fight back and secure a late win when Joseph Mwarabu scored a fortuitous goal that came directly from a corner.
After already having come close once in the opening exchanges when Sam Berezansky headed over the top, it was South who took the lead on fifteen minutes via Nick Morton. Ewan Larby shifted inside onto his right foot and produced a quality pass from wide out on the left that picked out the near post run of Morton who made no mistake in burying it from close range.
There was plenty of intensity about the contest and both sides were looking to play in a positive manner but chances remained at a premium for much of the first half despite the obvious intent.
As the game drifted towards half time the Warriors were given the chance to draw level when Jack Ryan won himself a penalty. Warren Wadawu chipped a ball over the top for the big Englishmen to run onto, and he beat the keeper to the ball, knocking it past him before being fouled by the onrushing Reid.
Tony Peart had no hesitation pointing straight to the spot and despite Reid getting a large piece of the spot kick, he couldn't keep it out and Olympia were level. The goal would be Ryan's final in a Warriors shirt as he prepares to head back to England following this match.
South almost reclaimed the advantage before the break when a corner was met by the head of Kasper Hallam. The ball deflected off Jake Vandermey and looked set to hit the back of the net before Darby Randall produced a top quality leg save to somehow keep it out and keep the scores 1-1 headed into the half time break.
Randall was sharp again early in the second half to deny Hallam after the South speedster had found some rare space in behind the Warriors defensive line and got a good shot off that was tipped wide.
Both sides traded attacks in the second half as the game grew more physical and the challenges started to fly in. It was a heated rivalry game which you would expect, but despite both sides pushing hard for the go ahead goal it continued to elude both of them.
Then on 78 minutes the Warriors won a corner that was floated in by Joseph Mwarabu. Nathan Reid attacked the ball at the near post, but whiffed on it completely and it curled straight into the back of the net to set the Warrior Park faithful into raptures. It was something from the nothing, the type of fortune that has eluded them thus far in season 2020 and it would prove the match winning goal.
South came close to recovering when a chance fell to Andy Brennan in the box two minutes from full time, but Lucas Hill did superbly to somehow get a foot in to help deflect the shot wide and secure the victory for the Warriors.
The win leaves Olympia in fifth place on the table at the halfway mark of the season, nine points behind the leaders Devonport and still 2 behind South Hobart who will remain in third place following the afternoon's results.
https://youtu.be/D4LyqIGTcWc
South almost reclaimed the advantage before the break when a corner was met by the head of Kasper Hallam. The ball deflected off Jake Vandermey and looked set to hit the back of the net before Darby Randall produced a top quality leg save to somehow keep it out and keep the scores 1-1 headed into the half time break.
Randall was sharp again early in the second half to deny Hallam after the South speedster had found some rare space in behind the Warriors defensive line and got a good shot off that was tipped wide.
Both sides traded attacks in the second half as the game grew more physical and the challenges started to fly in. It was a heated rivalry game which you would expect, but despite both sides pushing hard for the go ahead goal it continued to elude both of them.
Then on 78 minutes the Warriors won a corner that was floated in by Joseph Mwarabu. Nathan Reid attacked the ball at the near post, but whiffed on it completely and it curled straight into the back of the net to set the Warrior Park faithful into raptures. It was something from the nothing, the type of fortune that has eluded them thus far in season 2020 and it would prove the match winning goal.
South came close to recovering when a chance fell to Andy Brennan in the box two minutes from full time, but Lucas Hill did superbly to somehow get a foot in to help deflect the shot wide and secure the victory for the Warriors.
The win leaves Olympia in fifth place on the table at the halfway mark of the season, nine points behind the leaders Devonport and still 2 behind South Hobart who will remain in third place following the afternoon's results.
https://youtu.be/D4LyqIGTcWc