Words: Riley Jackson
Image: Getty Images

A first half brace to attacker Jacob McLean guided Olympic FC to a 3-1 victory over Melbourne Knights in the Westfield FFA Cup at Goodwin Park on Tuesday night.

Knights saw the best of the opportunities in the opening exchanges, but the Queenslanders rode their home support to seal the win with a late strike to 18 year old Mustafa Jafari.

The visitors threatened early when a long cross field switch found Shayan Alinejad unmarked at the back post and was able to roll an inviting pass across the face of goal.

Jordan O’Doherty was heavily involved throughout but his delivery was stifled repeatedly by Olympic’s defenders.

On 18 minutes McLean was allowed the room to turn outside the box and made the most of it, slotting a low drive into the bottom left corner.

Six minutes later, Mclean doubled the home side’s lead hitting the back of the net from outside the area of his left foot.

Knights proved unable to make the most of large periods of possession and Olympic held their lead into the break on the back of solid defending from Matt Byrne and Mark Fisk.

Six minutes into the second half 16 year old O’Doherty was able to pull a goal back for Knights, curling the ball into the bottom right corner.

McLean called May into action again in the 61st minute, after a deflection fell fortuitously on the penalty spot drawing a spectacular save from the Knights custodian.

In 78th minute goal scorer O’Doherty received a red card for a second bookable offence after a coming together with Olympic midfielder Kazuya Ito.

Barely a minute later, Olympic defender Daniel Crack struck a golden opportunity against the post before substitute Mustafa Jafari sealed the victory six minutes later.

Knights evening was further soured when goalkeeper May was sent off after the full time whistle after an altercation with match officials. 

Olympic FC (Jacob MCLEAN 17’ 25’, Mustafa JAFARI 86’)
Melbourne Knights 1 (Jordan O’DOHERTY 52’)