Olympic Run Riot In Derby
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Patrick Kearney/Olympic FC
Olympic FC claimed bragging rights for another year over derby rivals Brisbane City, cruising to a 5-0 win at Goodwin Park on Saturday night.
Alistair Quinn struck two of four second-half goals for the hosts, adding to further scores from Sam Cronin, Tim Smits and Matt Byrne.
The win keeps Olympic in the Premiership race in third place on the ladder and marks a PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2015 double for the two-time Grand Finalists over their cross-town opponents.
The hosts took the lead only three minutes into the contest when midfielder Cronin struck a driven shot from outside the area in off the base of the post - his third goal of the 2015 league campaign.
Olympic spurned the chance to double the advantage only five minutes later when Smits saw an attempt blocked before blazing the follow-up over the bar from close range.
The hosts continued to dominate as Smits teed up Michael Lee, whose half-volleyed strike faded just wide of the target.
City eventually found half-chances midway through the half as Anthony Poljak headed wide and Mat Biggins scuffed a shot into the post from a corner kick.
Smits saw a goal ruled out for offside after the half-hour before Poljak forced a save from Olympic goalkeeper Matt Acton prior to half-time.
Olympic doubled their advantage following a considered start to the second half - Quinn forcing a save from City custodian Matt Stein before Matt Byrne steered home to follow-up for his second goal in as many weeks.
Quinn then beat Stein twice in quick time just after the hour - his first ever goals in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland in the former Brisbane Strikers players' second appearance for Olympic.
The midfielder’s headed home his first off the underside of the crossbar after being found by Danny Byrne’s cross, before finishing a flowing team passing movement for his second to wrap up the points.
City struggled to fashion a reply as the hosts sought to close out the result before PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot leader Smits struck his 15th goal of the campaign with an unstoppable volleyed finish in the final minutes of regular time.
Speaking post-match, Quinn said he was pleased to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time in the competition in his 19th league appearance.
“I’m pretty happy to score two goals. I haven’t scored in a long time, so it was pretty good,” Quinn said.
City coach Darron Heselden conceded his side were “a bit flat” on the night and previous hard-fought performances had taken their toll on his young side.
“The gap on the table was highlighted and we got duly punished,” Heselden said.
Olympic FC 5 (Sam CRONIN 3’, Matt BYRNE 57’, Alistair QUINN 62’ 69’, Tim SMITS 89’)
Brisbane City FC 0
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