The Olympia Warriors survived a stirring fightback from South Hobart to claim a 4-3 win in the Summer Cup Final at KGV. Jack Ryan fired in a first half hat-trick to have the Warriors seemingly cruising to victory before South came roaring back to level the match at 3-3 in a stunning second half response. But the Warriors would do just enough to win, as Jackson Khasif fired home a stoppage time winner to secure the victory for the Warriors in a pulsating game.
After 30 minutes of play, the game had looked over. Jack Ryan had run completely rampant up top and fired in a classy hat-trick, overwhelming a South defence who seemed to have no answers for the red hot Warriors who were looking as sharp as they have all pre-season.
Jack Ryan Celebrates his Hat-Trick - Image Solstice Digital
Callum Brown played Ryan in for his first with some superb work further down the pitch, skipping past defenders like witches hats before sliding the ball through which the Englishmen dispatched home.
Only some sharp keeping from Chase Webert denied him a brace moments later, but he didn't have to wait long for goal number 2, finishing off a nice cross from an overlapping O'Connor.
His third came from some poor South defending, failing to deal with what seemed a hopeful Adam Gorrie through ball, presenting Ryan with the chance from the top of the box, where he curled home his third and at that point it seemed like Olympia would storm to victory.
Olympia FC's Adam Gorrie - Image Solstice Digital
But a late penalty blown against Davis Smith, for getting into the back of Kobe Kemp presented South with a lifeline. The South skipper stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to pull it back to 3-1 at half time and just ignite a flicker of hope in the young side.
That flicker became an inferno in the second half, as the South youngsters came roaring back to life and took over the game.
Kasper Hallam was inspired, giving the Warriors defence a torrid time with his pace and he snuck in behind of Hill on the hour mark to cut the margin to 3-2 with a tidy finish.
The Warriors, so dominant in the first 45 suddenly looked rattled, as the enthusiasm of the South side with the crowd at their back took it right up to them.
In the 85th minute they drew level, Kasper Hallam showed his sharp speed, to turn and skip past Lucas Hill into the box where he fired home the leveller to set up the grandstand finish.
But there would be a late sting in the tail for South, as the Warriors responded in stoppage time. A long ball up the middle found Jack Ryan, who had been isolated all half, but produced a fine flick on for Jackson Khasif to run onto down the left. He stormed into the box then produced a calm finish to stroke home the match winning goal, complete with front flip celebration.
Jackson Khasif Celebrates his late goal - Image Solstice Digital
It would prove the decisive goal, as the final whistle rang out and Olympia claimed the 4-3 win, surviving an almighty fright from a spirited South side in the process.