The Olympia Warriors claimed a comfortable 5-1 win over Riverside Olympic on Saturday afternoon, as they controlled the contest and overcame a rocket of a goal from Christopher Wademan.
The game began with the home team attacking with purpose, before Riverside had a chance from a freekick. In the 4thminute Jono Ladic played a fantastic curling ball over the visitors’ defence to find Ortmann, who crossed the ball in well to Mearns, and forced a good save from Jarrod Hill.
Two minutes after this chance and it was Olympia again asserting their early dominance. This chance was sparked after the ball was left to run through the box, with Jordan Scott hitting wide from a dangerous area. However, it wasn’t long before the home fans were celebrating.
In the 15thminute Ryan Cook played the ball to Mearns on the left-hand side of the goal. Mearns then crossed the ball in well, however his teammates all missed it. The ball slid across the face of the goal before Riverside’s Aaron Campbell struck it into the back of his own net, putting the Warriors 1-0 up.
Just six minutes after the opener and Olympia found their second, with Jono Ladic striking home in the 21stminute. This goal was sparked after Joffery Nkoso travelled with pace down the left wing. Nkoso then played the ball to Ladic in the box who finished nicely, doubling the home sides lead to 2-0.
Jack Ryan then had a chance to open his account for the day, however his shot rolled straight to Jarrod Hill. The visitors then produced a quick counter attack and began fighting their way back into the contest. This fightback reached a climax when in the 32ndminute, as new Riverside signing Christopher Wademan struck the ball like a rocket past Darby Randall, moving the score to 2-1.
The contest was now anyone’s game, however Olympia showed why they are one of the best teams in the competition, striking back soon after Riversides goal. A quick attacking move saw Nick Mearns end up with the ball, striking past the outstretched arms of Jarrod Hill and over the head of a defender to re-establish the home sides two goal buffer.
In the 39thminute Riverside’s Christopher Wademan produced a fantastic turn at the top of the box, before striking the ball on target, however Randall collected well. Riverside then began to push for a second goal, before the Warriors struck again.
Three minutes after Wademan’s shot and Nick Mearns found his second goal of the game. Mearns’ second goal came from a Jack Ryan through ball, sending him through and the number six struck well, moving the score to 4-1. This was how the score remained at halftime, with Olympia holding a comfortable lead as the teams went into the sheds.
The second half began much like the first with Olympia attacking early. Just seconds after the kick off and Jack Ryan was through on goal. However, the number nine hit well over the bar. In the 54thminute Riverside’s Tom Prince almost put his side back in the contest, heading just wide from a corner.
A minute after this chance and Riverside has another opportunity on goal, with Will Coert running down the right with pace, however his shot went straight to Randall. Olympia then had a number of chances, with Cook and Ryan squandering chances. Joffery Nkoso then forced a great save from Jarod Hill at close range. The Warriors would miss a further two more chances, before they found the back of the net again in the 70thminute.
The Warriors’ fifth goal came after the home side won a freekick near the centre of the park. The freekick was taken quickly and eventually found its way to Warren Wadawu. Wadawu then played the ball to Nkoso who finished well, icing the 5-1 win.
Speaking post-match Olympia coach Rob Clark was happy with his sides performance and believed his side played “really well” in the first half. He explained that he thought his side should have got more goals but was overall happy with how they played.
Riverside coach Alex Gaetani labelled Olympia “excellent” and believe that at times they were “unplayable”. He spoke of how his team sets out to play attacking football and saw positives in some of his sides build up play.
The win sees Olympia remain in second whilst Riverside sit in eighth. Next week, Olympia travel north to take on Launceston City, 4:30pm on Saturday at Buckby Land Rove Park. Meanwhile Riverside travel south again, taking on the Hobart Zebras on Sunday, 2:15pm at KGV.
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