Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Patrick Kearney/Olympic FC

FNQ Heat secured their first win in four matches with a comprehensive 3-1 upset over high-flying Olympic FC at Goodwin Park on Sunday.

All four goals came in a late first half flurry as Heat turned the form book on its head to hand Olympic their first defeat in five games and leap to seventh on the table.

A considered start from both sides saw few clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges of the match.

Olympic’s Michael Lee and Heat’s Jamie Carroll both spurned half-chances before the floodgates opened midway through the first half.

Alex Smith delivered the opening goal on 24 minutes with a well-struck finish from Carroll’s cutback - the goal taking Smith’s tally to eight this season and moving him to the top of the Golden Boot charts.

Ten minutes later Heat doubled their advantage on the back of a wily run from Carroll, who saw his heavily-deflected strike trickle across the line before Olympic could clear.

The hosts responded immediately when Danny Byrne delivered a pin-point free-kick over the Heat wall that left goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney flat-footed.

However, Heat restored their two-goal margin just before the break when Carroll and Smith combined once again - Carroll ultimately poking home ahead of on-rushing Olympic shot stopper Matt Acton.

After the restart, Olympic saw a greater share of possession however were repeatedly stifled by a full-field defensive effort from Heat.

Shortly after the hour, Rhys Meredith forced a save from Mooney with one of few chances in the second half.

The hosts spurned a final chance to mount a late comeback when fullback Daniel Crack weaved through the Heat defence but failed to pick out a teammate.

Speaking post-match, Heat coach Martin Docherty said the result had lifted the pressure on his side after recording just the single point from their previous three outings.

“Today I think we almost looked comfortable and looked like we were always going to win. I was looking for a counter-punch to be honest from Olympic today but thankfully it never turned up,” he said.

Olympic FC (Danny BYRNE 38’)
FNQ FC Heat (Alex SMITH 24’, own goal 35’, Jamie CARROLL 45+1’)