Words: Staff Writers
Image: Patrick Kearney

Olympic FC coach Terry Kirkham believes his side are making great leaps following their against-the-odds win over league leaders FNQ Heat last weekend.

Despite letting slip an early two-goal lead – and seeing Ramone Close dismissed early in the second half – Olympic delivered a stirring performance to become the first team to defeat Heat at home this year.

Kirkham, who replaced Jim Bellas as Olympic coach in late April, said his side’s third win in five outings is part of a continuing progression following a lacklustre start to the season.

“I’m extremely proud of the boys, they responded very well. The Heat up there was difficult, the conditions were difficult, the referee was against us we think with a number of decisions and the boys did well to keep their calm,” Kirkham said.

He added, “The boys are training very well and the changes that we’ve made have added spark to the place; we’ve got the right players in the right structure.”

“I said a couple of weeks ago that we were going to cause everyone a lot of problems once we get going, and we’ve started to do that already.”

Kirkham said he was particularly pleased at the spread of goals against Heat as five different players etched their name on the scoresheet.

“The way that we are playing with the players we have, we expect them to have opportunities.”

“Against Sunshine Coast and Pride we created multiple chances to score, it just came together on Saturday night.”

Olympic travel to Townsville this weekend to face the bottom-of-the-table Northern Fury and Kirkham was adamant that his charges will not be complacent as they seek to launch an audacious bid to press for a top four finish.

“It doesn’t matter who we play now, in our position we have to beat every side in the second half of the season to get into the top four,” Kirkham concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 13

Northern Fury FC v Olympic FC
Saturday, June 4 | 7:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville