IC PlessPix

A thunderbolt from Canadian full back Zachary Drake split the difference between Olympia and Clarence in a fiercely contested Eastern Shore derby at Wentworth Park. In a game that Olympia dominated territoriality, it took the Canadian's superb long range effort shortly after the restart to guide the defending champions past a plucky Clarence side that played with spirit and defended stoutly throughout.

Clarence set out their stall to defend with plenty of bodies behind the ball and were clearly looking to play a direct style of game, knocking it long to the workhorse up top, Adam Hedge, rather than looking to pass their way out of the back.

There were ominous signs early on though when Gavin Hoy played a neat one-two, skipped into the box and beat Dyson, who got a piece of it with his leg but not enough to keep it out and Olympia had a 1-0 lead inside of ten minutes.

Olympia were making all the running early but Clarence did a good job forcing them wide and having their midfielders tracking back to cover the overlapping runs, Drake was particularly menacing, playing almost as a winger rather than full back.

The game changed dramatically when Nick Naden, playing at centre back took off on a marauding run, scything through the midfield before working it to Adam Hedge whose drive across the face was met by Sam Reibel who had snuck in unmarked at the back post and he slotted it home to give Clarence the leveler. It was their first meaningful attack of the game and came completely against the run of play, stunning the Warriors who were looking comfortable up till that point.

The goal seemed to invigorate the Reds players, the belief was growing and despite not seeing a lot of the ball they were working their socks off in defence and frustrating their opponents who were pressing them back deep in their own end. The likes of Lush, Price and Heath were particularly impressive in this respect, nullifying the threat of Sam and Shuruma, before the latter was subbed off with a wrist injury.

It was Gavin Hoy and Tom Bellini who looked the most likely to restore the lead, the pair among the Warriors most effective players, with their quick feet threatening to unlock the Clarence defence on multiple occasions. Bellini came close to scoring after Hoy and Sam set him up only to see his effort cleared off the line, as the game reached half time deadlocked at 1-1.

Just moments after the restart the tie was broken when Drake launched a pile driver from long range, nestling his effort in the bottom left corner of the net to give his side the perfect start to the half.

Having fallen away badly in the second half last week and having watched the Warriors smash eight past the Lions, more than a few thought this might represent the dam wall bursting and it certainly seemed every chance as Olympia dominated the next 20 minutes of play.

They piled on the pressure, creating a host of chances, but some rugged defending along with some assistance from the woodwork saw Clarence survive this torrid period with the score still just 2-1.

Hoy and Leaman both hit the post with minutes of each other and Bellini had Dyson beaten, but not Price with a cheeky lob as Clarence continued to live dangerously but keep themselves in the contest.

Whilst they couldn't find the killer third goal it left the door ajar and meant that every Clarence attack was met with anticipation by the home supporters. Heath almost caught the keeper unaware with a floating free kick that was misjudged and just crept wide whilst Grant Malcolm likewise came close with a free kick of his own, set pieces proving Clarence's most likely avenue.

Olympia continued to press on and Hoy looked set to seal the game only to be denied by a sliding Dyson who was out off his line early to smother the Canadian's shot. A number of corners continued to bring them no luck as the Clarence defence kept working hard to deny them space in and around the area.

The closest Clarence came was when Reibel flicked a ball on superbly for an overlapping Lawler who was on a tight angle and pulled his shot wide of the mark, it was as good a chance as they would get as the final whistle blew and Olympia, somewhat relieved took the three points and the local bragging rights.

 

The closest Clarence came was when Reibel flicked a ball on superbly for an overlapping Lawler who was on a tight angle and pulled his shot wide of the mark. It was as good a chance as they would get as the final whistle blew and a somewhat relieved Olympia took the three points and the local bragging rights along with it.