Jamie Richardson

Olympia Warriors have jumped to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over last placed Launceston City at Buckby Land Rover Park on Saturday afternoon. Olympia came into the match equal second and trailing Hobart Zebras by one point but with South and Zebras failing to take maximum points from their away trips Olympia capitalised and leapfrogged them to go top of the table.

Olympia came into this game as strong favourites and they showed why from the outset when they hit the lead in just the 4th minute. Cartwright found space inside of City’s 18 yard box and shooting from a tight angle he forced David Smith into a save. Smith did well to save but in doing so the ball fell back right back into the 6 yard box where Thomas Bellini was quickest to pounce and stroke it home to put Olympia 1-0 ahead; not the start City were hoping for at all.

Olympia’s intent from the outset was clear, they were here for the win with top spot on the line and they almost doubled their lead on the 11th minute mark. An Olympia corner was cleared but was nicely set for Vandermey lurking on the edge of the box, he struck the ball fiercely on his left foot and it cannoned into the crossbar and back into play.

City didn’t go back into their shell after the early setback though and really tried to take it Olympia pressing them high up the park and making things awkward for the travellers. The home side almost shot themselves in the foot though when Egan tried to play out from the back to Bartlett but the pass was short and Undy nipped it and headed towards goal with only Smith to beat and the powerless shot was easily saved.

Ben Brookfield gave Alex Rossetto his first start and made use of his long throws at every opportunity in the attacking third. It almost paid dividends when Rossetto threw one into the mixer that was cleared by Olympia but only as far as Bartlett just outside the box who curled an effort just wide of the post.

In the 30th minute it looked like City may have got their equaliser when the referee saw an Olympia handball in their defensive and a penalty awarded to City. O’Connor stepped up and going by his free kick in Round 1 you’d have backed him to score it but his bottom right strike was easily covered by Cole and Olympia held onto their one goal advantage.

Leading goalscorer Jakub Sklenar who was well held for much of the game came close to adding to his tenth goal for the season just before half time. A cross from the right saw Sklenar rising above his City marker and guiding his header on target, forcing David Smith into a good save as the score line remained 1-0 to Olympia heading into the break.

On another day City could have had their equaliser just after the restart when Williams played a ball in behind the Olympia defence for Compagne but it was a touch too strong giving Cole the chance to smother at Compagne’s feet.

Conversely at the other end Hugh Undy was wreaking havoc on the wing, getting in cross after cross but fortunately for City they were usually wasted, over the bar or out of play.

City continued to play with fire when it came to their passing out from defence and a wayward pass from O’Connor was pounced on by Sklenar giving him the opportunity for a strike on goal, that he did, Smith had it covered but it managed to squirm through his legs and towards the goal line but the City keeper got back to gather in the nick of time.

City huffed and they puffed but lacked the final touch or final pass in their search for the equaliser and eventually Olympia delivered the knock out blows with substitute scoring two goals in the final few minutes both in similar fashion. The fresh Gavin Hoy found himself receiving the ball in acres of space on the left before he smashed it home to make it 2-0. Then Wiliams misplaced a wayward back pass that Sklenar picked up and found an unmarked Hoy who scored his second and Olympia’s third as they took the  Easter chocolates over City 3-0. The score line reads for a comfortable game and routine win for Olympia Warriors but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way for the 90 minutes.

Ian Shaw remained focussed on the task ahead downplaying any title favouritism that comes with going top of the league, stating there was still much to work on while also keeping one eye on the Round of 16 Lakoseljac Cup clash with Ulverstone up at Ulverstone on Monday.

“Oh look there’s a lot football we need to improve on today, it’s not easy to come up here, coach Brookfield has done a good job with Launnie I think they’re playing much better so it was never going to be an easy game.”

“Tonight the depth of the squad showed, we’re able to bring Wadawu on and Hoy on and they made the difference in the end they created something and opened up the goalscoring opportunities.”

“We’ve got to manage players with 2 games in 3 days and then an 8 day turn around and then another 3 days later we play again.”

“Other results today went in our favour a little bit, so I don’t think there’s any favouritism anywhere we’re just a good squad trying to get better and we’re trying to win the league so yeah these hard games we’ve just got to nut out.

City coach Ben Brookfield while not getting a result was relatively pleased with the performance.

“We tried our hardest and did really well I can’t ask anymore, I think 3-0 probably flattered them a little bit.”

“I’m not blaming anyone for missing the penalty but you score that and it gives us a lift.”

“Results wise it’s not looking too great but if you’re looking at style of play and playing positive football, playing the game the right way then you’re going forward. Obviously I know we need to get results but at the same time you can see them coming around the corner.”