Olympia has moved into top spot on the NPL TAS table after a strong second half against Kingborough saw them leave Lightwood Park with a 4-1 win and three crucial points.
After an even start to the game, the Warriors ran over the top of the Lions and buried the game after the break. Three goals after half time took the contest away from the Lions, who fought hard but were outclassed by a team in the thick of the title race once again this season.
Things looked promising for the home side in the early proceedings, as they settled quickly and looked the more likely team in attack. While they were dangerous on the counter and created the bulk of the early chances, the Warriors seemed happy to hold possession and play the ball around the backline.
With the Lions refusing to press too high, the game didn't really take off until the first goal came just before the half-hour mark. While it was Olympia that took the lead, it was Kingborough's Nick Cuthbertson that got his name onto the scoresheet.
A low cross from the left looked set to pick out Warriors forward Jonathan Mulungula around the six-yard box, before Cuthbertson forced his way in to win a header. Unfortunately for him, his attempted clearance flew straight into the back of the net and put the visitors ahead 1-0.
After that spurt of action in front of goal, the game quickly returned to its earlier slow pace. The Lions looked to have equalised before a foul was called on Warriors goalkeeper Kyle McDonald, but aside from that the game cruised into half time with little fanfare.
With more shots and corners in the first stanza, Kingborough may have felt unlucky to be behind. Having said that, the Warriors were composed and calm in possession and when defending, and their patient approach continued to serve them well as the second half began.
Much like in the first half, a goal didn't look likely until the ball was already in the back of the net, and again it was the Warriors finding the breakthrough just before the hour mark. An Olympia corner made its way to the opposite side of the area and landed with Jonathan Ladic, whose cross could only find the knee of a defender. The ball wasn't cleared, though, and bobbled in front of substitute Warren Wadawu, whose reactionary snapshot lobbed over keeper Mitch Stalker and doubled the lead.
That one goal almost brought a second, as a turnover immediately after the restart saw import Jack Ryan played in on goal. His shot flashed just wide of the far post, denying the Englishman what would have been a well-deserved goal after working hard all night.
Faced with a two-goal deficit, the Lions pushed hard for an equaliser. Keenan Douce threatened down the wings all game with his pace and delivery, and captain Danny Cowen was dangerous throughout in the middle.
The extra buffer only seemed to further solidify the Warriors, though, and their class shone through against less experienced opposition. They certainly didn't park the bus, but their organisation in getting numbers back to defend was superb in the closing stages of the game.
That defensive dominance continued to create good chances on the counter, and they had their third goal of the night in the 75th minute. A trademark slow build-up play ended with Jake Thompson on the right-hand side of the area. After one blocked attempt at a cross, he played a low ball that sliced through the defence and found Nicholas Mearns front and centre. His shot was placed into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 and kill off any hopes of a comeback from the hosts.
Douce and Cowen combined once again shortly after for another near miss, as they struggled to put the finishing touched on their attacks. That wastefulness was further punished at the other end, as the Warriors were clinical in attack and added a fourth in short time. A cross from the right hit the defender marking the near post, but fell straight into the lap of Thompson who poked it home from point-blank range.
The last ten minutes may have been the most action-packed of the night, as the Lions then snared a late consolation goal in stoppage time. A Chris Downes free kick from the right drifted into the box and somehow evaded the awaiting pack of players, before McDonald fumbled on the collect and watched as it found the back of the net.
The final whistle shortly after saw the game finish 4-1, a result that vaulted the Warriors into top spot. That lead may not last for long, though, as Devonport will have the chance to reclaim top spot when they host the Lions on Saturday afternoon.
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