Words: Sam Flanagan
Images: Patrick Kearney

Olympic FC remain in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals hunt after a pulsating 5-3 victory over Sunshine Coast FC at Goodwin Park.

A frantic opening to the game saw Sam Cronin give the hosts the lead in the opening minute, however, were forced to wait until just before half-time before Liam O’Bryan doubled the advantage.

Fire came out blazing early in the second half as an own goal and a neat finish by Alexander Warrilow restored parity within 10 minutes.

Olympic edged back in front through captain Danny Byrne prior to the hour, only to see Fire equalise once again through Jeremy Stewart two minutes later.

But two goals via Kristen Waters and Youeil Shol late in the second half were enough to hand the home side a vital three points.

Olympics’ victory means they stay in sixth for now, but are level on points with both fourth-placed Brisbane City and fifth-placed Redlands United with one round remaining.

Fires’ loss is their fourth in a row and sees them remain in ninth on the ladder.

Key Moments

1’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – The hosts launch an all out attack on goal from the kick-off that results in James Cuminao picking out Sam Cronin who is able to head home from close range

2’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Alexander Warrilow nearly restores parity within a minute as he unleashes a shot from 20 yards that forces Olympic goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney to tip around the post

3’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Matthew Gordon bursts through the midfield before finding Ramone Close, who draws a reflex save from Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls

43’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Daniel Byrne’s lofted through ball from his own half finds the flying Liam O’Bryan, who rounds Nickolls before sneaking his finish past a pair of Fire defenders

47’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – A corner to the back post sees the ball ricochet off a number of players before being knocked into the net by Olympic defender Matthew Jones

55’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Olympic surrender possession in midfield and Fire counter quickly as Drew Jeskey plays through Alexander Warrilow, who negates Mooneys’ efforts to find the bottom corner

63’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – O’Bryan picks out Byrne screaming into the area and the Olympic skipper lashes it home first time from 12 yards

66’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Intricate passing from Fire in the final third sees the ball find its way to Jeremy Stewart, who slides it home from 16 yards to level scores for a second time

68’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Byrne whips in a corner to the back post that is met by Kristen Waters, and the centre back is able to nod it home from close range

81’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Close flies down the right on the counter-attack and rounds Nickolls before squaring to substitute Youeil Shol to tap home

84’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE – Warrilow latches onto a first-time volley from 22 yards but Mooney tips it around the post

What They Said

“The important thing for us was that we got the win we wanted. We started well and played some good football. We would have liked to capitalise on our possession with more goals but Fire defended well.” – Daniel Byrne, Olympic FC captain

“They scored on literally the first play of the game and that killed us and it took us a while to get back into it. After half-time I thought we were a different class and shaded it, but they took their chances and that was the difference” - Connor Hancock, Sunshine Coast Fire FC defender

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 21

Sunday, August 14
Goodwin Park, Brisbane

Olympic FC - 5 (Sam CRONIN 1’, Liam O’BRYAN 43’, Daniel BYRNE 63’, Kristen WATERS 68’, Youeil SHOL 81’)
Sunshine Coast FC - 3 (own goal 47’, Alexander WARRILOW 55’, Jeremy STEWART 66’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2aGS4SI

Match Officals - Rebecca Durcau (referee), Danielle Potticary (assistant), Renae Coghill (assistant), John Vasiliadis (fourth)